XML, otherwise known as eXtensible Markup Language, is the latest buzz-word on the internet - but it is a rapidly maturing technology with powerful real-world applications, particularly for the management, display and organization of data. Microsoft has undertaken to provide full support for XML and other associated standards in the latest version of Internet Explorer. These standards are set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and cover a whole range of different technologies. Who is this book for? This book is for web developers who want to know more about what XML is, what its potential applications are, and what support is available for XML and its associated technologies right now in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5. What does this book cover? Provides a starting point for newcomers to XML Covers Document Type Definitions and XML Schemas Teaches all aspects of the XML Document Object Model Explores tranformations using CSS and XSL stylesheets Acts as a concise guide and reference to XML Examines the XML-specific features of the IE5 browser Looks at evolving XML standards and technologies The fastest track to working with XML and XSL in IE5
A handy and straightforward owner's manual to XML,
XML in IE5 Programmer's Reference surveys the current state of XML as it applies to Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and provides an excellent introduction to the many composite aspects of XML.
The opening chapter--entitled "What is XML?"--is one of the best overviews of XML you'll find. It covers the history and the promise of the language and answers many of the basic questions new XML coders will undoubtedly have.
Author Alex Homer gives clear examples of the use of XML and covers what features IE 5 supports. This introduction is followed by a chapter that defines the XML document structure and shows how all of the various components, such as DTDs (Document Type Definitions), XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language), XPL (Extensible Pointer Language) and XLL (Extensible Linking Language) all fit together.
Next the author presents the details of how DTDs and XML schemas can be used to frame the data your XML documents will work with. He also provides good coverage of the Xlink and Xpointer languages for connecting XML documents and the information they access. The book explains the XML Document Object Model (DOM) with plenty of short code snippets to illustrate syntax. Appendices offer reference to the IE 5 DOM, XML constructs, and cascading style sheet properties. This title is great for learning XML, but it will serve you just as well down the road as a handy reference. --Stephen W. Plain