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


Book Description
What is this book about?

Beginning XML, 3rd Edition, like the first two editions, begins with a broad overview of the technology and then focuses on specific facets of the various specifications for the reader. 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 and second editions, and provides new material to reflect the changes in the XML landscape — notably RSS and SVG.


Download 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


Book Info
Explains and demonstrates XML and related technologies. For any developer who is interested in learning what XML is, what it can do, and how to use it in their web, e-commerce or data storage applications. Softcover.


From the Publisher
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.


From the Back Cover
Now firmly established as a mature technology with numerous applications, XML has spawned additional functionalities, each with its own specifications. This edition of the highly popular guidebook for beginning XML programmers teaches you not only what XML is and how to use it, but also how it partners with XPath™, XSLT, XQuery, XHTML, and others. You’ll learn XML basics, then explore an XML-based programming language that enables you to transform XML documents into different formats. You’ll discover how to query databases for XML information, publish XML documents on the Web, and create interactive forms and graphics with XML. By the end of this book, you will feel confident applying XML in real-world situations. What you will learn from this book Basic concepts of XML and how to define elements, tags, and attributes Rules for naming and structuring elements to produce well-formed XML How to validate XML using Document Type Definitions (DTDs) Guidelines for structuring documents with DTDs, XML schemas, and RELAX NG How to use XPath and XSLT to process documents Communication techniques using RSS, Web Services, SOAP, and WSDL Ways to manipulate documents for display with XHTML, CSS, SVG, and XForms Who this book is for This book is for any programmer interested in learning to use XML. Some knowledge of Web programming or data exchange techniques is helpful but not necessary. Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.


About the Author
David Hunter is a Senior Technical Consultant for CGI, the largest Canadian independent information technology (IT) services firm and the fifth largest in North America. With a career that has spanned design, development, support, training, writing, and other roles, he has had extensive experience building scalable, enterprise-class applications using various Internet technologies.
David Hunter contributed Chapters 1–3 and Appendix B to this book.

Andrew Watt is an independent consultant and computer book author with an interest and expertise in various XML technologies. Currently, he is focusing on the use of XML in Microsoft technologies. He is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Microsoft InfoPath 2003.
Andrew Watt contributed Chapters 7–11 and 19, and Appendixes C–D to this book.

Jeff Rafter’s involvement in the computer industry began with his work on Future Lock, a Commodore 64 classic published by Compute’s Gazette. For the past eight years his focus has shifted to web development and markup languages, and he is always eager to explore emerging technologies. Jeff currently resides in Redlands, California, where he enjoys restoring his turn-of-the-century house, playing frisbee with his Border Collie and writing sonnets.
Jeff Rafter contributed Chapters 4–5 and 12, and Appendixes E–G to this book.

Jon Duckett published his first website in 1996 while studying for a BSc (Hons) in Psychology at Brunel University, London. Since then he has helped create a wide variety of websites and has co-authored more than 10 programming-related books on topics from ASP to XML (via many other letters of the alphabet) that have covered diverse aspects of web programming including design, architecture, and coding. After graduating, Jon worked for Wrox Press first in their Birmingham (UK) offices for three years and then in Sydney (Australia) for another year. He is now a freelance developer and consultant based in a leafy suburb of London, working for a range of clients spread across three continents. When not stuck in front of a computer screen, Jon enjoys writing and listening to music.
Jon Duckett contributed Chapters 16–17 to this book.

Danny Ayers is a freelance developer and writer specializing in cutting-edge web technologies. His personal focus is on using Semantic Web technologies to make the Internet a whole lot more useful. He lives in rural Tuscany with his wife, Caroline, a dog, Basil, and numerous cats. The animals regularly appear alongside XML-oriented material on his weblog at http://dannyayers.com.
Danny Ayers contributed Chapters 13 and 18 to this book.

Nicholas Chase has been involved in website development for companies such as Lucent Technologies, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nick has been a high school physics teacher, a low-level radioactive waste facility manager, an online science fiction magazine editor, a multimedia engineer, and an Oracle instructor. More recently, he was the Chief Technology Officer of an interactive communications firm. He is the host of the XML Reference Guide on InformIT.com, a frequent contributor to IBM’s developerWorks, and the author of several books on XML and web development. He’s currently trying to buy a farm so he and his wife can raise alpacas and mutant chickens. He loves to hear from readers and can be reached through his website, http://www.nicholaschase.com.
Nick Chase contributed Chapters 14–15 to this book.

Joe Fawcett began programming 30 years ago and started working in development after leaving college. A career change saw him become a professional bridge player until 10 years ago when he returned to programming, becoming especially interested in XML as it was emerging in 1997. He was awarded the status of Microsoft Most Valuable Professional in XML in 2003. Joe works as head of software development for Chesterton Ltd., a large property company based in the U.K. He lives with Gillian and their two young children, Persephone and Xavier.
Joe Fawcett contributed Chapter 20 to this book.

Tom Gaven has been in the IT industry for over 25 years and has developed and delivered technical training on programming languages, operating systems, user interfaces, and architecture. Recently, Tom has focused on XML and all related technologies. Currently, Tom works for Exostar, the B2B exchange for the aerospace and defense industry, maintaining the XML interfaces and schemas for the exchange. He also co-authored a freely available XML editor, XMLDE. The editor supports RELAX NG and is available at http://www.xmldistilled.com.
Tom Gaven contributed Chapter 6 to this book.

Bill Patterson has worked in the computer field for longer than he would care to admit. He holds a masters’ degree in both business and computer science. He first began working with PHP and XML in 2000, and works as an independent consultant in New Jersey.
Bill Patterson contributed Chapter 21 to this book.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
If you￯﾿ﾽre a programmer who￯﾿ﾽs only now encountering XML, you do have one advantage: The pioneers have already taken the arrows for you. It￯﾿ﾽs easier to assess when XML makes sense. There are now best practices for using it. And there￯﾿ﾽs now a very well thought out beginner￯﾿ﾽs guide to using it when it does make sense.

Beginning XML, Third Edition teaches XML￯﾿ﾽs foundational concepts while introducing contemporary techniques for processing, communication, database integration, display, and programming. Along the way, the authors illuminate a wide range of technologies, from SAX to RSS, WSDL to SVG.

To help you apply all that, they wrap up with two start-to-finish case studies. In one, you￯﾿ﾽll use PHP to work with XML documents; in the second, you￯﾿ﾽll construct a complete XML-based web service with Microsoft￯﾿ﾽs .NET. Not bad for a ￯﾿ﾽbeginner￯﾿ﾽ! Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Now firmly established as a mature technology with numerous applications, XML has spawned additional functionalities, each with its own specifications. This edition of the highly popular guidebook for beginning XML programmers teaches you not only what XML is and how to use it, but also how it partners with XPath, XSLT, XQuery, XHTML, and others.

You'll learn XML basics, then explore an XML-based programming language that enables you to transform XML documents into different formats. You'll discover how to query databases for XML information, publish XML documents on the Web, and create interactive forms and graphics with XML. By the end of this book, you will feel confident applying XML in real-world situations.

This book is for any programmer interested in learning to use XML. Some knowledge of Web programming or data exchange techniques is helpful but not necessary.

SYNOPSIS

Now firmly established as a mature technology with numerous applications, XML has spawned additional functionalities, each with its own specifications. This edition of the highly popular guidebook for beginning XML programmers teaches you not only what XML is and how to use it, but also how it partners with XPath™, XSLT, XQuery, XHTML, and others.

You’ll learn XML basics, then explore an XML-based programming language that enables you to transform XML documents into different formats. You’ll discover how to query databases for XML information, publish XML documents on the Web, and create interactive forms and graphics with XML. By the end of this book, you will feel confident applying XML in real-world situations.

What you will learn from this book Basic concepts of XML and how to define elements, tags, and attributes Rules for naming and structuring elements to produce well-formed XML How to validate XML using Document Type Definitions (DTDs) Guidelines for structuring documents with DTDs, XML schemas, and RELAX NG How to use XPath and XSLT to process documents Communication techniques using RSS, Web Services, SOAP, and WSDL Ways to manipulate documents for display with XHTML, CSS, SVG, and XForms

Who this book is for

This book is for any programmer interested in learning to use XML. Some knowledge of Web programming or data exchange techniques is helpful but not necessary.