XML by Example (By Example) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ Benoit Marchal (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

XML by Example is a hands-on guide for those who already know the basics of HTML authoring but want a complete introduction to the exciting new world of XML. It lives up to its title, with plenty of examples of actual XML, HTML, JavaScript, and Java code. The author is an experienced trainer in XML and Internet technology, and the result is a particularly clear and well-informed tutorial.

Beginning with an overview of XML technology, the book goes on to explain XML syntax complete with a list of common errors and misunderstandings. Next comes an explanation of DTDs (Document Type Definitions) and then a guide to transforming XML into readable output with XSL (XML Stylesheet Language) and CSS (cascading style sheets). That accounts for the first half of the book. The second part focuses on the programmer's view of XML, with information on XML parsing, the DOM (Document Object Model), and SAX (Simple API for XML). Finally, there is a walkthrough of a multitier e-commerce application using XML and Java servlets. There is an appendix providing a crash-course introduction to Java.

Although it is aimed at XML newcomers, XML by Example covers a good bit of ground. Its fast pace makes it more demanding than some tutorials, but professionals will welcome its tight focus. A glossary and index round off the excellent handbook. --Tim Anderson, amazon.co.uk

Product Description

XML by Example teaches Web developers to make the most of XML with short, self-contained examples every step of the way. The book presumes knowledge of HTML, the Web, Web scripting, and covers such topics as: Document Type Definitions, Namespaces, Parser Debugging, XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language), and DOM and SAX APIs. At the end, developers will review the concepts taught in the book by building a full, real-world e-commerce application.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Que; 1 edition (December 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789722429
• ISBN-13: 978-8120316645
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,303,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally...A book for the real world, January 31, 2000

By	Michael Joseph Waluk (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The best XML book out there! It thoroughly explains XML and its uses, but any XML book can do that. What makes this book special is its chapters on XML's companion standards, which actually make it useful.

The book begins with XML syntax, DTDs and Namespaces. It then moves on to the fun stuff: XSL, CSS, using the DOM and the SAX API in parsers.

With that foundation, it walks you through creating XML documents inside applications. The book wraps up with a detailed N-Tiered Architecture example, which was thankfully written in Java. The author was kind enough to include a crash course on Java in the Appendix.

Overall, the examples were excellent and interesting. I have read four other XML books, including one with the same title, and this is the first where I could actually apply the examples in my real world projects.

My office has a copy of most of the XML books out there, but this is the only one I'd recommend to developers at any level.

84 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book to start., May 28, 2000

By	ZhongDan LAN (Newark, New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is excellent for someone who knows HTML basics and who wants to learn XML. The author does not use only examples, but also comparisons, which are really helpful. For example, XML is structure-oriented and not presentation-oriented, compared to HTML, this book explains the advantage of this difference. The presentation is clear, key notions as Namespace, Style Sheets, Dom and Sax, XLink and XPointer are all introduced in chapter one with examples, and explained in more detail in later chapters. It tells you also how to read this book, for example, chapter 3 is a little abstract, and at the beginning of this chapter, the author suggests you to skip half part and read this chapter later. The author repeats some notions several times, it may be helpful for beginner, but not for advanced. This book covers lots of topics, but not in depth. Overall, it is best suited for beginners. Int/adv readers better read <<Professional XML>>, <<XML unleashed>>, <<XSLT programmers reference>>, <<XML Elements of Style>> and other java/asp xml related books.

96 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars <? XML Version Super deluxe!>, January 29, 2000

By	"mrhassell" (London, England) - See all my reviews

Some books have a heavy tendency to become immersed in the exciting technologies that they are writing about, without leaving much scope for the human aspect of learning. XML by example is without a doubt one of the most useful and easy to understand books that I've read in ages. The e-commerce and web based email examples alone are worth the price of the book and it is totally comprehensive. What impressed me about this book most is that it covers more than just the essential aspects of the DOM and XSL, by providing an introduction to Java, Java Server Pages (Jsp's), Java web servers, translation and e-commerce applications (all the code you need is right here). Also the links to resources and applications / tools that are free or open source, which guarantees you'll be up and running with the most cutting edge technology in no time. In a word the most straight forward and to the point book that I have had the pleasure of digesting for a long time. Delicious!