XML Training

About XML

XML is not really a language like Java or C, but rather a family of web-based technologies designed to convey structured data into text format. This data is stored in files that are easy to generate and read (by a computer), that are unambiguous, and that avoid common pitfalls, such as lack of extensibility, lack of support for internationalization/localization, and platform-dependency. This training course will cover:

• the history and objectives of XML
• some of the many component technologies of XML
• who defines XML and how to stay on top of the updates
• about markup languages
• advantages of and uses for XML
• some of the many applications available for editing, parsing and processing

XML Syntax and Well-Formedness

The extensibility of XML allows authors to define their own elements, attributes and relationships. In order for applications like parsers, processors, editors and browser to handle such extensibility, good XML requires very strict adoption of some basic syntax rules. In class we employ a well-known text editor, XML Spy. Editing sample XML files, we review the XML syntax requisites and discuss:

• structure necessities
• defining elements
• defining attributes
• good naming conventions
• comments
• escaping sections
• how to check for well-formedness with XML Spy 4.3

Document Type Definitions

The well-formedness of a document provides just the most rudimentary insurance that the markup is being done correctly by the people creating the XML files. Data validity and appropriate use of the markup can only be checked against a definition of your particular XML language. The DTD defines the elements, attributes, and content requirements for the XML. In this training course we review several examples and create our own DTDs. In this training course you will learn:

• how to declare elements
• how to specify children elements
• how to define the number of times something may appear
• how to declare an attribute
• how to restrain attribute values to certain options only
• how to create entities - like macros
• how to specify and reference other datatypes

Cascading Style Sheets

CSS may seem like a simple syntax and technology merely suited to beautifying HTML pages, but its capabilities extend beyond text treatment and color styling. CSS can define boundaries, shapes, patterns of behavior and more for any element - even the ones created in XML. In this training course you will:

• review the syntax of CSS
• briefly cover the relationship between CSS and HTML
• discuss different types of selectors, including contextual ones
• learn about the box model and properties of block and inline elements
• apply CSS to XML directly - bypassing the need for HTML
• discuss XML/CSS support on the various browsers
• examine future plans for CSS - including embedded behaviors

XML Namespaces

Before getting into XLink or XSLT, we'll introduce you to the concept of namespaces. XML Namespaces is a specification that describes how you can ensure the uniqueness of your XML document's tags ("elements"). We briefly discuss the parts of an XML namespace and common uses for them. In this training course you will learn:

• how to define an XML Namespace
• how to use an URI to uniquely identify the Namespace
• about the anatomy of a Namespace
• about scoping
• about reserved Namespaces

XLink - The Basics

XLink is not a new technology (1999), but support for the standard is just now emerging on the scene. In this training course you will learn:

• how to reference the xlink namespace for appropriate scoping
• about simple and extended links
• about the use of XPath and XPointer
• which browsers support XLink

Prerequisites:

• Intermediate HTML, or equivalent experience
• Intro to JavaScript or equivalent experience

keywords: XML course san francisco bay area (XML Intermediate / XSLT and XPath) XML classes san francisco bay area (XML Advanced / Schema)