Customer Reviews

XML: Learning by Example

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was disappointed in the size, layout, and content of the book.
Its size was that of a pamphlet (1/2 as tall as a normal book and only 110 pages long).
The layout was by no means impressive. There were no defined "chapters". As you completed each example it simple gave a short synopsis and the next page started a new example.

Early in the book it required the read/user to type lots of JavaScript (which had some typos), later it gave a 1/2 page on installing Java on your machine so you could complete further examples.

Though the book recommended using IE5+ in order to use the examples, some even failed to properly display using IE6. (I found the answers to the bugs by reading another XML book I purchased as a companion.)

Not recommended for newbies to WEB programming and a bit spotty for experienced XHTML/DHTML programmers moving up to XML.

This book has been adopted by us (and other colleges) because it is an excellent introduction to XML at the beginner level, for 1-credit courses. The book is well built up, pedagogically correct and at a price that suits the students pocket. It covers XML tags, CSS1 and 2, the @media directive, XHTML, DOM, XMLNS, XPath, XLST, DTD, Schemas, XLink, XPointer and DSO. It even touches ASP, Java and UNIX. Recommended for all teachers (and students).

While this book seems to have a lot of great reviews, the other reviews that gave this book 5 stars are very suspicious - BE CAREFUL!

I thought this book had five stars so I was getting excited, but I saw that all the reviews seemed to be made by the same person. Firstly, the reviewers are all unregistered (I am, admittedly, as well) and use same words to praise the book, verbatim.

"I agree with the other reviewers" (used twice).

"XHTML, DOM, XMLNS, XPath, XLST, DTD, Schemas, XLink, XPointer and DSO. It even touches ASP, Java and UNIX" by 2/6/03 reviewer "Petra B," then another reviewer on 10/28/02 says, almost identically "XHTML, DOM, XMLNS, XPath, XLST, DTD, Schemas, XLink, XPointer and DSO. It even touches ASP, Java and UNIX"

I consider this "review fraud" - perhaps this person wants to sell this book, but horribly unethical. I know, it seems like I have a lot of time on my hands to go through this, but I am honestly looking for a great book on XML, and reviewers like this who seem to be shamefully promoting their product should be made known.

Please be careful!

This book covers XML tags, CSS1 and 2, the @media directive, XHTML, DOM, XMLNS, XPath, XLST, DTD, Schemas, XLink, XPointer and DSO. It even includes excercises on ASP, Java and UNIX. It explains XML really well and I was especially impressed by the excellent explanations concering the database nature of XML.

The excercises are well thought out and include reading to and from databases, as well as storing and sorting database-type information in data islands, and presenting it using XSL.

Demystifying, edifying and concisely written. It is quick to read and easy on your budget. I like the web support (download the codes). Excellent for those needing a beginners "tour" around XML.

You don't have to go weight-lifting with 800 page manuals any more. Here is what XML is about, and the price is right! After reading this book I understood XML and what it can do. Now, as a manager, I have the information I need. Highly recommended.

This book demystifies XML. The language is very basic and easily understandable. At first the author builds up some theory, but he quickly starts with concrete examples, so the reader can immediately get positive results. The examples write to and from databases using standard Java middleware and then explores the database nature of XML itself with Data Source Objects and XSL/XSLT. Even the complicated subject of DTDs appears easy! After having read this book I really understand what XML is about (a real "ah-ha" experience) and am ready to buy the big programmer manuals. I recommend this hype-free book highly.

This book demystifies XML. As a beginner people are a bit afraid of new techniques, but Mellor leads the novice by the hand through the intricacies of XML, with plain explanations to all examples, interspaced with theory and practical tips. The book is not for hot-shot programmers, but if you are an Internet dabbler and want to know how XML works (without the hype), then this is the book for you.

I liked Dr Mellors book on ASP very much, so I was interested to see if his second effort, on XML, lived up to expectations. It does !

This is book for beginners, from precocious teenagers to first-graders at IT college, as well as vocational training. The material is well thought out and the book is so easy to read that, without really realizing it, you can suddenly program in XML. I really like it.

I agree with the other reviewers that this books covers all the relevant material and is an excellent teaching aid. What the other reviewers don't stress is that it is a godsend for teachers. A week or two playing with the material will show that you can compentently deliver a very good course (between 2 day mini-course and a 4 or 6 week 1-credit course). If you are a bit inventive and set the students extra projects, then there is enough here for a 12 week semester.

So all you teachers out there should use this material - it is complete and ready for you to deliver to your students! Why waste time developing your own stuff when this is ready-to-go?