Learning XML: Creating Self-Describing Data

by Erik T. Ray

This second edition of the bestselling Learning XML provides web developers with a concise but grounded understanding of XML (the Extensible Markup Language) and its potential-- not just a whirlwind tour of XML.The author explains the important and relevant XML technologies and their capabilities clearly and succinctly with plenty of real-life projects and useful examples. He outlines the elements of markup--demystifying concepts such as attributes, entities, and namespaces--and provides enough depth and examples to get started. Learning XML is a reliable source for anyone who needs to know XML, but doesn't want to waste time wading through hundreds of web sites or 800 pages of bloated text.For writers producing XML documents, this book clarifies 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. Learning XML also discusses the stylesheets needed for viewing documents in the next generation of browsers, databases, and other devices.Learning XML illustrates the core XML concepts and language syntax, in addition to important related tools such as the CSS and XSL styling languages and the XLink and XPointer specifications for creating rich link structures. It includes information about three schema languages for W3C Schema, Schematron, and RELAX-NG, which are gaining widespread support from people who need to validate documents but aren't satisfied with DTDs. Also new in this edition is a chapter on XSL-FO, a powerful formatting language for XML. If you need to wade through the acronym soup of XML and start to really use this powerful tool, Learning XML, will give you the roadmap you need.

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

690 pages, Kindle Edition

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.