- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Microsoft Press,U.S.; Pap/Cdr edition (1 Jun 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0735610207
- ISBN-13: 978-0735610200
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 18.3 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,464,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Books about XML often provide more detail than the reader needs but don't provide enough coverage of related technologies. It is under this premise that Michael J. Young has written Step by Step XML, a kinder and gentler tutorial to XML.
The first thing the reader notices about this book is its light, illustrative style. Well-designed syntax diagrams and pieces of sample code ease XML newcomers into each topic. Well-formed and valid XML syntax is presented at a leisurely pace, with plenty of examples. XML display using cascading style sheets (CSS) is presented in a similar manner.
Those new to XML should be aware of the topics this book leaves out, however. For example, there is no discussion of schemas--the upcoming alternative to Document Type Definition (DTDs)--and there is relatively little explanation of XML as a data transfer mechanism. Data binding is discussed, but the focus is definitely on using XML as a presentation vehicle.
While this shouldn't be your only XML tutorial, it's a comfortable introduction to the basics and will be especially applicable to your work if you code for IE5. For a first taste of XML, it's a fine place to start. --Stephen W. Plain, amazon.com
Topics covered:
- XML document structure
- Well-formed versus valid documents
- Processing instructions
- CDATA sections
- Entities
- XML with CSS
- XML data binding
- Display with DOM scripts
- XSL style sheets
Product Description
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is currently the most promising language for storing and delivering vast amounts of data on the Web, offering even greater power and flexibility than HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). This all-in-one, step-by-step guide clearly explains the basics of XML, showing both non-programmers and Web site developers alike how to create effective XML documents and display them on the Web. Focusing on the most practical uses for XML, users can begin solving real-world problems now -- even if they don't have extensive technical knowledge. Book comes with a CD that includes extensive XML sample code and scripts, plus Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 browser software.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
Extensible Markup Language, or XML, is currently the most promising language for storing and delivering information on the World Wide Web. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Extensible Markup Language, or XML, is currently the most promising language for storing and delivering information on the World Wide Web. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Maybe a bit tedious, but quite good if you're just starting with XML! It focuses itself on 1 single example that will grow in complexity through the book's lifetime, teaching how to use DTDs and XSLs, and also approaching some techniques of how to manipulate XML data from the IE view side! If you're just starting from scratch, I think this is a good starting point!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lets start with the good point: This book covers pretty much everything you need to know about XML document structure.
Unfortunately it does so in such a slow-paced manner that by the time you're half way through you're completely fed up. The author repeats huge tracts of text in many places, despite condemning this practice in XML documents. For example the list of valid characters for element names is the same as for attibute names, and could be stated on one line. Young takes half a page, and repeats the same paragraph each time he needs it. You end up skipping huge chunks like this, because you've waded through it once, and that was enough. He also needlessly repeats examples.
Young assumes no knowledge of anything, and covers everything at a very slow pace, which makes this book OK for schoolchildren, but completely unsuitable for most people who will write XML.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
32 reviews
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Excellent Introduction to XML
3 Aug 2000
Format:Paperback
I own a couple of XML books. This is the one that outshines the rest. Ideas are logically presented and it lives up to its name---it does adopt a step-by-step approach in trying to get the ideas across to the reader. Some people may feel that it is lacking in certain areas (what the editorial review says is accurate) but those areas which it covers, it explains well. It is meant to be an intro to XML and it does a great job in explaining how parts fit together and what supporting docs are required and for what purpose. Well worth the price. After reading, I could understand what XML is and APPRECIATE XML. You cannot appreciate it unless you know it! One the of strengths of this book is the careful reference and explanation of the example codings is enlightening and helpful. Certainly NOT a book written in a hurry to get published.
Some people may be against the biase towards IE 5.x, but it provides excellent support for XML if you know the browser well enough. Using an otherwise poorer XML support browser would, on the other hand, hinder the learning process. IE Explorer has strengths and weaknesses like other browsers, but it is certainly strong in its support for XML.
If you do not know anything about XML, this is the book to start learning with. Excellent XML starters' book. Period.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful introduction to XML. A pleasure.
1 April 2001
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for an introduction to XML, this book is the right place to start. This book is my fourth attempt at learning the XML basics, and it's just right. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
The most striking thing about it is how well-organized it is. Finally, here is a book with virtually no typos, a CD of sample programs where all the programs work(!!!), and a completely clear labeling of which file on the CD is being used for each sample listing in the book. The writing is very clear, and all the examples are explained very well. And the book is only 362 pages, so you never have the feeling that it will take forever to go through it all.
The content is also very well organized, where each chapter builds on the preceding chapters, and the author does not discuss anything if the context has not already been established. The XML basics are all presented, including entities, DTDs, Data Binding, the DOM, and XSL. (And maybe a little more - the example in Chapter 9 of using the DOM to access XML entities in a DTD starts to get more advanced.)
To make full use of this book, you need to know some HTML. Knowing some JavaScript is also helpful, but not absolutely required. On the other hand, by the time you're ready to tackle XML, you should already know the HTML basics.
The book does not go into more advanced topics like SAX or SOAP, but that is OK since this is a beginner's book. Reading this book (and playing with the sample code) should give you the appropriate background for a more advanced book.
A warning: this is a Microsoft Press book, and all the samples are displayed in the Internet Explorer 5.x browser. If you are allergic to IE, then you should find another book, but you would be missing out on a lot.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Best book on XML
12 July 2000
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book to introduce you to XML and how to employ it in the real world. I picked this book up two weekends ago after getting totally frustrated with "XML for Dummies" (avoid that book!). This book set aside my fears of not being able to grasp the complex topic and now I can talk all about XML at cocktail parties!
The book has some basic review on HTML and then takes you quickly into the world of XML. Take a look at the table of contents and you'll see the coverage is very complete. Like other Microsoft Press books this one is well written and edited.
I disagree with Michael (the second reviewer) on the issue of IE. IE 5 is the only browser (as of July 00) that works properly with XML and does so consistently. It's very important for developers to work with the right tools, so the promotion of IE 5 (despite the Microsoft linkage) can be understood and forgiven.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
