Learning XML

by Erik T. Ray

The arrival of support for XML--the Extensible Markup Language--in browsers and authoring tools has followed a long period of intense hype. Major databases, authoring tools (including Microsoft's Office 2000), and browsers are committed to XML support. Many content creators and programmers for the Web and other media are left wondering, "What can XML and its associated standards really do for me?" Getting the most from XML requires being able to tag and transform XML documents so they can be processed by web browsers, databases, mobile phones, printers, XML processors, voice response systems, and LDAP directories, just to name a few targets.

In Learning XML, the author explains XML and its capabilities succinctly and professionally, with references to real-life projects and other cogent examples. Learning XML shows the purpose of XML markup itself, the CSS and XSL styling languages, and the XLink and XPointer specifications for creating rich link structures.

The basic advantages of XML over HTML are that XML lets a web designer define tags that are meaningful for the particular documents or database output to be used, and that it enforces an unambiguous structure that supports error-checking. XML supports enhanced styling and linking standards (allowing, for instance, simultaneous linking to the same document in multiple languages) and a range of new applications.

For writers producing XML documents, this book demystifies files and the process of creating them with the appropriate structure and format. Designers will learn what parts of XML are most helpful to their team and will get started on creating Document Type Definitions. For programmers, the book makes syntax and structures clear It also discusses the stylesheets needed for viewing documents in the next generation of browsers, databases, and other devices.

Genres: Programming, Computers, Technical, Reference, Nonfiction, Technology, Computer Science

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nick Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather incomplete and example- rather than axiom-based, this book did little but confuse me and send me lurching back to the web. I believe I acquired it via trading a six-pack of Newcastle to David Maynor many years ago, as I'd never have bought a computer book so clearly non-mathematical in its leanings. Furthermore, the author is Eric T. Ray, which is a bit too close -- a single-step translation and a contiguous deletion of degree 4, as we say in the protein-sequencing racket -- to venerable blowhard Eric S. Raymond for comfort.

Eschew it.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently dove into a web development project using XML for the first time and gleaned a lot from various tutorials on the web and other Googling. This book was what brought all that together in my brain and helped me solidify my understanding of XML, especially the nuances of XPath. I haven't read it all the way through but it serves as an excellent reference for me as I learn and experience more about XML technology.

[laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty good introduction to XML and transformations, but some of the explanations were backwards (i.e. starting with how to do something rather than what it describes). Some of his information went too in-depth and a bit off-topic (e.g. spending too many pages describing css). Otherwise, it really helped me better understand certain issues concerning XML creation.

[Volodymyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book describing XML from the beginning, its capabilities and limitations, overviewing basic XML-applications and technologies like XPath, XSLT etc. and different XML-processing tools to use in programs.

[Jennifer Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed like more of a reference book than a beginner book. Many of the examples made assumptions about your level of understanding with other programming languages. Some of the information was good, but I found myself using another beginning book and the web more often.

[TK Keanini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction as you would expect from O'Reilly

[Sasha]

Want to know what XML is? Here you go.

[Brendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a history and basic specifications, but a lot of the information is out of date. Worth reading the first 3 chapters.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to XML and XML related technologies like DTDs, XML Schema, XSLT and XPath.

[Odile]

Reviewing skills from Library School. Shades of Jen Meyer!

[Scott Duede · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this is considerably out of date, so the part about XSL will need to be supplemented. I'm tired of reading about document formatting right now, though, so that will have to wait.

[Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that explains XML in a way that actually makes sense.

[Don Massenzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginner's book. I was brand new to XML and this book helped me to systematically learn it and put it into practice.