Java & XML for Dummies [Paperback]

Barry Burd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0764516582 | ISBN-13: 978-0764516580 | Edition: 1st

The seamless integration of source code and data from many different programming languages and platforms to build large, reliable software systems has been the Holy Grail of computing since the early 1970s. Now, with the marriage of the Java programming language and XML—the worldwide standard for representing data—that ideal has been realized. Together, Java and XML make up the backbone of a bold new generation of applications and Web services. As the sixties radicals used to say, “Either you’re part of the problem or part of the solution!” and no programmer worth his or her salt will want to pass up an opportunity to get in on the Java and XML revolution.

Java and XML For Dummies offers you a fun, fast and easy way to get up to speed on all of Java’s XML tools. Barry Burd walks you through all the major APIs and standards –from JAXP and SAX to SOAP and UDDI—and shows you how to start programming with them right away. Using lots of real-world programming examples he puts you on track to:

• Configure your computer to optimize Java and XML
• Make sense of the complete Java XML toolset
• Create and troubleshoot XML documents
• Master Java XML Web services tools
• Join the Web services revolution and make a million bucks

Java and XML For Dummies is arranged in modular fashion, making it easy for you to zero-in on specific areas, tools or procedures that interest you, without having to wade through coverage stuff you already know about. From basic to advanced, it covers all the bases, including:

• Scanning data with SAX, DOM and JDOM
• Programming techniques using SAX API tools
• Programming with DOM API tools
• Viewing XML data on the Web
• Creating custom code for your document using JAXB
• Sending SOAP messages using JAXM
• Working with XML registries
• Automating Web-service processes

Java and XML For Dummies is your road map for JAXP, JDOM, SOAP, WSDL, and all of Java’s powerful XML tools—and your passport to joining the Web services revolution!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Packed with easy-to-grasp examples of APIs and tools

Get the hang of Java's XML toolset and join the Web services revolution!

Java and XML are the foundations of a new generation of applications and Web services. But how do you get up to speed on those Java XML tools? Don't worry! This friendly reference walks you through all the major APIs and standards - from JAXP and SAX to SOAP and UDDI - and shows you how to start programming right away.

The Dummies Way
* Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational aids
* Tear-out cheat sheet
* Top ten lists
* A dash of humor and fun

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About the Author

Barry Burd, PhD, teaches computer science at Drew University. He also trains professional programmers and speaks widely at conferences. His books include Java 2 For Dummies and JSP: JavaServer Pages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1st edition (June 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764516582
• ISBN-13: 978-0764516580
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > XML

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is awesome!, February 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Java & XML for Dummies (Paperback)

If you're a Java developer looking to get up to speed on how XML/Java/XSLT/Web Services, and lots of other topics, then this book is a great place to start.

The book doesn't pretend to (and says so) teach every topic it covers (XSL, for example is presented in context but not really taught -- that would take a MUCH bigger book). Still, with some familarity with the topics, the code presented is great. XML (part of the book's title) is covered quite nicely.

It's assumed that you're somewhat familiar with Java.

In my case, I needed to find some clear explanations of how to create an XML file and then read that XML file along with an XSL stylesheet (I was learning XSL using Java/XSLT by O'Reiley at the same time). Barry's JDOM chapter and the chapter on putting data on the Web solved both these issues.

Don't get put off that this is a "Dummies" book. I have found it useful for at least two projects (the most recent I wrote about above).

Also, when there was a minor problem with the code where IE 6 wouldn't recognize the stylesheet processing instruction when it was at the bottom of the XML file, the author was extremely helpful and responsive to this issue. He helped me research the problem and wrote me back with his findings.

To put my review in perspective: I'm the kind of developer who likes to learn to walk before I learn to run. If you like to just jump into a complex book and wade your way though the material, then this book might not be for you. But, if you like to get a feeling for the technology and get relatively straightforward examples *working* first, then check out this book.

Barry explains topics clearly and simply.

All in all, I found this book to be completely refreshing compared to most of the books out there.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Java & XML for dummies, November 15, 2002

By 

A reader "MK" (BRONX, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Java & XML for Dummies (Paperback)

I have 18 years exp. with IBM BAL and I'm also doing some work with modern technologies. I have looked through many JAVA/XML books and this is definitely the best book for both beginners and advanced users. Author presents in good depth a vast array of present technology, samples are working like that!! It has helped me a lot to get a grip of advanced matter such as SAX, DOM, JDOM, schema, SOAP and so on... Some other nice features of this book is a good readable style and more than usual coverage of the main subject.
I am grateful to the author for the enormous scope of what has been accomplished. And, of course, I'll try to follow the recommendation to buy another books by Barry Burd in two copies: one for my home, and another for my office.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great overview, May 12, 2008

By 

J. Brock Angelo (Champaign, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Java & XML for Dummies (Paperback)

I'm a big fan of Barry Burd's books. This is the third book I've read from him. I bought it in 2008 and it was written several years earlier. This makes some of the material dated, but throughout most of the book, the examples compile fine. Before this book, I knew nothing about XML but knew how to program in Java. And by the time I was about a third of the way through the book, I had one of my Java programs pulling in an XML feed and displaying the results. I would recommend this book after you read Barry's Java for Dummies.