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Beginning XML provides a complete course in the Extensible Markup Language (XML) with an unusually gradual learning curve. In fact, the introduction states that the book is "for people who know that it would be a pretty good idea to learn the language, but aren't 100 percent sure why." Despite its recognition of the fuzziness of readers' understanding of the technology, the book delivers a rather comprehensive study of XML.
Very little space is wasted detailing the history of XML and its relation to SGML, as is the case in many other titles. The argument for the importance of XML is made quickly, and the basics of well-formed syntax are tackled right off. One notable distinction of this book is its excellent coverage of related technologies, such as cascading style sheets (CSS) and relational databases.
In addition to discussing the crucial companion standards to the core XML language (DTDs, XSL, and XSLT), the book adds a nice perspective to the broad range of applications in which XML can play a role. One section, "Other Uses for XML," illustrates how XML can be used to serialize object models, creating stateless objects and utilizing the Resource Description Framework (RDF). Case studies on--among other things--how XML can be used to build discussion groups, and provide B2B data transfer, round out the text. This book is perfect for Web programmers who are turning their attention to XML for the first time. It imparts a solid understanding of the XML forest and XML trees. --Stephen W. Plain
Topics covered:
- Well-formed XML
- Cascading style sheets (CSS)
- XSLT and Xpath
- Document Object Model (DOM)
- Simple API for XML (SAX)
- XML/database integration schemas
- Document Type Definitions (DTDs)
- Namespaces
- B2B data-transfer applications
- Discussion group applications
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
What is this book about?
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a rapidly maturing technology with powerful real-world applications, particularly for the management, display, and organization of data. Together with its many related technologies it is an essential technology for anyone using markup languages on the web or internally.
This book teaches you all you need to know about XML ? what it is, how it works, what technologies surround it, and how it can best be used in a variety of situations, from simple data transfer to using XML in your web pages. It builds on the strengths of the first edition, and provides new material to reflect the changes in the XML landscape ? notably SOAP and Web Services, and the publication of the XML Schemas Recommendation by the W3C.
What does this book cover?
Here are just a few of the things this book covers:
- XML syntax and writing well-formed XML
- Using XML Namespaces
- Transforming XML into other formats with XSLT
- XPath and XPointer for locating specific XML data
- XML Validation using DTDs and XML Schemas
- Manipulating XML documents with the DOM and SAX 2.0
- SOAP and Web Services
- Displaying XML using CSS and XSL
- Incorporating XML into tradition databases and n-tier architectures
- XLink and XPointer for linking XML and non-XML resources
Who is this book for?
Beginning XML, 2nd Edition is for any developer who is interested in learning to use XML in web, e-commerce or data-storage applications. Some knowledge of mark up, scripting, and/or object oriented programming languages is advantageous, but not essential, as the basis of these techniques are explained as required.
