Inside XML DTDs: Scientific and Technical [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Robert J. Biggar (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is challenging to learn, in part because it embodies both a mechanism to build customized data-oriented Web solutions and a set of previously developed ones to be exploited. Inside XML DTDs comes at the subject from both sides to illustrate the possibilities, preparing readers to create their own XML dialects.

This book really centers on the technical and scientific fields, demonstrating the benefits XML offers those disciplines through established XML implementations. MathML--an XML dialect that displays mathematical equations--and the Chemical Markup Language (CML) are two examples of the languages presented in depth. Authors Simon St. Laurent and Robert Biggar begin the book by pointing out the huge strides XML makes to span the gap between the technology of the Web and the language of many technology fields.

An introduction to the fundamental structures and syntax of XML is presented, culminating in chapters that focus on document type definitions (DTDs)--the core of the book. Some readers may be surprised that the majority of the book is dedicated to existing XML applications, but if they read closely they'll glean much useful information. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: XML syntax, DTD document design, XLink and XPointer, MathML, RDF and Dublin Core, VHGTM, CML, BioML, BSML, Weather Observation Markup Format, AML, AIML, and Perl-based XML processing.

Product Description

Inside XML DTDs is a complete handbook to the DTDs created for general purpose use as well as specific technical ones. Coverage of data formats, technical formats, and business formats as well as a complete guide to creating, using, and updating DTDs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 466 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (June 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007134621X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071346214
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,228,564 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Coverage of Material., July 12, 1999

By A Customer

Because the topic is changing so quickly, it is difficult to publish a current book on XML. Even with this disadvantage, the book gives the reader the information needed to understand how XML works, what its potential is, and generally how to implement it. I have two negative comments:
1. The book is a too cursory with emerging technologies which will be the mainstay of the technology: DOM, XSL, XSLT, SAX. These parts are critical for implementors and should have been discussed more thoroughly.
2. For a book on markup, they should have gotten the table of contents marked up correctly.

On the whole, an excellent book. Very readable.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disapointing, March 13, 2000

By	HA DUONG Minh "minh_ha_duong" (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

The book does not focus on the "Scientific and technical" side (only 1/3 of the chapters). Maybe that is why the subtitle has disappeared from the cover. Chapters 1-9 and 21-24 are generalities about XML and XML-aware applications. These would have been much clearer if the authors omitted to present all these useless options such as PUBLIC identifiers. Chapters 10, 11 and annex A paraphrase the MathML specifications. The MathML specs, freely downloadable online, are unusually clear themselves so the book does not bring much. I would have liked a word about the XSIL format, an index for the CD, and a correct table of content. I understand that if the authors had taken the time to write a well focused and pedagogical text, it would have been obsolete before publishing. Yet I am still looking for a book on XML for scientists.