If you are a Python programmer who wants to incorporate XML into your skill set, this is the book for you. Python has attracted a wide variety of developers, who use it either as glue to connect critical programming tasks together, or as a complete cross-platform application development language. Yet, because it is object-oriented and has powerful text manipulation abilities, Python is an ideal language for manipulating XML.
Python & XML gives you a solid foundation for using these two languages together. Loaded with practical examples, this new volume highlights common application tasks, so that you can learn by doing. The book starts with the basics then quickly progresses to complex topics, like transforming XML with XSLT, querying XML with XPath, and working with XML dialects and validation. It also explores the more advanced issues: using Python with SOAP and distributed web services, and using Python to create scalable streams between distributed applications (like databases and web servers).
The book provides effective practical applications, while referencing many of the tools involved in XML processing and Python, and highlights cross-platform issues along with tasks relevant to enterprise computing. You will find ample coverage of XML flow analysis and details on ways in which you can transport XML through your network.
Whether you are using Python as an application language, or as an administrative or middleware scripting language, you are sure to benefit from this book. If you want to use Python to manipulate XML, this is your guide.
Christopher A. Jones has an extensive background in Internet systems programming and XML. He is the co-founder of Planet 7 Technologies, a Seattle-based commercial software company specializing in XML transport software. He is also the author of: Open Source Linux Web Programming (IDG 1999) and UNIX Shell Objects (IDG 1998). Fred L. Drake, Jr. is a member of the PythonLabs team, and has been contributing to Python since 1995. He took over maintenance of Python's documentation in 1998, changing the face of both the printed and online forms. He has been active in the PyXML project since it started, and helps maintain the Expat XML parser, used in many major applications that use XML, including PyXML, Apache, and Mozilla. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree as well as a Master of Science in computer science.
