XML Books - Page 5

XML Pocket Consultant

William R. Stanek

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Concise but thorough pocket reference 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 16 people found this review helpful.

I knew a little about XML before reading this book, but nothing in-depth. I've been a software developer for years however, so I didn't want a basics book, but something that covered the subject quickly and in depth. After reading the other reviews I bought this book and was not disappointed. I was particularly interested in XML Schema and XSLT, and this book does an excellent job with both. I'm not sure you can find a more thorough reference outside the standards documents themselves. Datatypes, restrictions, defining complex types--I use this book for XML Schema like I use K&R for C programming. Note that this book has almost no coverage of subjects outside the W3C standards, such as the different types of validating tools and parsers or other XML schema languages such as RELAXNG from Oasis. You will have to go elsewhere for a fuller understanding of the entire 'XML Universe'. The only real gripe I have with this book is its constant use of Microsoft in the examples, which grates on this long-time Linux user. Of course, its from Microsoft Press, so what can you expect. Fortunately XML itself is non-OS specific, so nothing in this book is really Microsoft-centric. All in all, a great reference.

Editorial Review:

Here's the eminently practical, pocket-sized reference for Web developers and IT professionals working with XML, XSL, and XSLT. This portable guide delivers a brisk overview of XML, and quickly proceeds to such topics as DTD components, document modeling, document formatting, and XML standards-including XSL, XLink, and XPath.

Processing XML with Java(TM): A Guide to SAX, DOM, JDOM, JAXP, and TrAX

Elliotte Rusty Harold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.

If only every technical book was written this well! Anyone who is working with Java and XML should have a copy of this book. Highly example driven with clear explanations, the author makes using XML in your Java programs a breeze. Even better, the author has a style that makes the book fun to read as you feel like you are learning all sorts of secrets from an XML insider.

The book starts with a quick introduction to XML and then gets into how to create XML documents in your programs. The first four chapters cover everything you need to know about creating XML whether it is for XML-RPC, SOAP, or simply to store in a file. The next section covers parsing XML documents. SAX and DOM are compared and then the next eight chapters discuss these two methods of parsing documents, explaining how to use them, comparing them, and helping you determine how to decide which technique to use for which situation. The section on DOM explains not just how to parse documents using DOM but also how to create new documents. The final chapters of the book cover JDOM, XPATH, and XSLT.

Did I mention that this book is full of examples? The author doesn't rely on simply explaining how something works or how to use a technology (even though his explanations are excellent), he has examples to demonstrate everything he discusses. Each example builds upon the previous example and makes learning the techniques easy and enjoyable.

Editorial Review:

A complete guide to writing Java programs that read and write XML documents. Shows developers how to save XML documents, read XML documents, communicate with network servers that send and receive XML data, and integrate XSLT into their programs. Softcover.

Java & XML for Dummies

Barry Burd

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

This book is awesome! 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

If you're a Java developer looking to get up to speed on how XML/Java/XSLT/Web Services, and lots of other topics, then this book is a great place to start.

The book doesn't pretend to (and says so) teach every topic it covers (XSL, for example is presented in context but not really taught -- that would take a MUCH bigger book). Still, with some familarity with the topics, the code presented is great. XML (part of the book's title) is covered quite nicely.

It's assumed that you're somewhat familiar with Java.

In my case, I needed to find some clear explanations of how to create an XML file and then read that XML file along with an XSL stylesheet (I was learning XSL using Java/XSLT by O'Reiley at the same time). Barry's JDOM chapter and the chapter on putting data on the Web solved both these issues.

Don't get put off that this is a "Dummies" book. I have found it useful for at least two projects (the most recent I wrote about above).

Also, when there was a minor problem with the code where IE 6 wouldn't recognize the stylesheet processing instruction when it was at the bottom of the XML file, the author was extremely helpful and responsive to this issue. He helped me research the problem and wrote me back with his findings.

To put my review in perspective: I'm the kind of developer who likes to learn to walk before I learn to run. If you like to just jump into a complex book and wade your way though the material, then this book might not be for you. But, if you like to get a feeling for the technology and get relatively straightforward examples *working* first, then check out this book.

Barry explains topics clearly and simply.

All in all, I found this book to be completely refreshing compared to most of the books out there.

Editorial Review:

Java & XML For Dummies shows experienced Java developers how to start incorporating XML data in to their applications.
Topics covered include Java/XML Bindings, SAX (Simple API for XML), DOM, SOAP, Web Services, data binding, XML from Java Applications, messaging with XML and Java, DTDs, namespaces, Xpath, CSS, UDDI, HTTP handing servers for SOAP and other XML format messages via serverlets, differences between parsers, Java API programming tools for handling XML, using XML to solve real-world programming problems, WSDL, UDDI, EAI, Message routing, turning java objects into XML, databases in XML.

Pro PHP XML and Web Services (Pro)

Robert Richards

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

I would highly recommend this as a resource for any developers who want to really dig in and solidify their working knowledge of PHP and web services, or just want to explore the nuances and complexities of XML DTDs and namespaces.

— Nathan Smith, Godbit Project

Pro PHP XML and Web Services is the authoritative guide to using the XML features of PHP 5 and PHP 6. No other book covers XML and Web Services in PHP as deeply as this title. The first four chapters introduce the core concepts of XML required for proficiency, and will bring you up to speed on the terminology and key concepts you need to proceed with the rest of the book. Next, the book explores utilizing XML and Web Services with PHP5. Topics include DOM, SimpleXML, SAX, xmlReader, XSLT, RDF, RSS, WDDX, XML-RPC, REST, SOAP, and UDDI.

Author Robert Richards, a major contributor to the PHP XML codebase, is a leading expert in the PHP community. In this book, Richards covers all topics in depth, blending theory with practical examples. Youll find case studies for the most popular web services like Amazon, Google, eBay, and Yahoo. The book also covers XML capabilities, demonstrated through informative examples, in the PEAR libraries.

XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference (Programmer to Programmer)

Michael Kay

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Complete and authoritative reference, terrible format 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I have never had a question about XPath that wasn't answered by this book. I appreciate having an authoritative reference written by someone who was deeply involved in the development of the standard.

However, this book (and its companion XSLT reference) is perhaps the worst-formatted reference book I have ever seen. Much of the book consists of an alphabetical reference of XPath functions. Unfortunately, the page headers and footers only contain page numbers and chapter titles. They do not contain the name of the function that is described on that page. So you can't just riff through the pages watching for your function to appear in the footer.

There is a heading for each function name, but the font used for the sub-headings are as large as (if not larger than) the major headings. There are no page breaks between functions. So you can't even visually scan the pages looking for your functions.

Finally, the table of contents consists largely of function names on the left, with page numbers on the right, separated by about five inches. But there are no dot leaders between them. So, even when you resort to using the table of contents to find the section you need, you have to use a ruler to find the page number.

Editorial Review:

What is this book about?

XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference is the only authoritative reference on XPath, a sub-language within XSLT that determines which part of an XML document the XSLT transforms. Written for professional programmers who use XML every day but find the W3C XPath specifications tough to slog through, this book explains in everyday language what every construct in the language does and how to use it. It also offers background material on the design thinking behind the language, gentle criticism of the language specification when appropriate, and a diverse range of interesting examples in various application areas.

XML 1.1 Bible

Elliotte Rusty Harold

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 67 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The emergence of XML is having an enormous impact on Web development, and scaling the learning curve of this new technology is a priority for many developers. The XML Bible offers a superb introduction to the subject and the groundwork to understand XML's future developments.

Author Elliotte Rusty Harold uses a patient, step-by-step discussion that clearly points out the potential of XML without boring his readership with tons of SGML spec-speak. Harold opens quickly with a "Hello World" example to get the reader coding early, and follows that with a simple but powerful example of XML's data management benefits--presenting baseball statistics. Once you've coded your first XML documents, you'll be hooked on the technology and motivated to learn about the more sophisticated topics.

Style sheet languages are covered comprehensively to illustrate the presentation possibilities and pitfalls. An unusually long list of real-life XML applications also shows how XML is already being used, and there is in-depth coverage of the Resource Description Framework, Channel Definition Format, and Vector Markup Language. The book wraps up with a section that helps you design your own XML application from scratch.

Titling a book a bible is a bold move, but this engaging and informative guide is entitled to make this claim. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: XML background, example XML applications, type definitions (DTDs), style languages, Xlinks, Xpointers, Namespaces, application planning, and XML 1.0 specification.

Professional SQL Server 2005 XML (Programmer to Programmer)

Scott Klein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

examples and rest of book do not correlate. 1 out of 5 stars.
4 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Just been thru Chapter 1 - what is in the book and the snippets of the code that follow do not correlate. This is just like a developer code, wrote something and threw it across the wall for testing, never matters if the code matches requirements or not.

You Need this Book 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

If you are considering using XML in SQL Server 2005, this book will pay for itself quickly. The clear examples of creating XML Schema collections, altering them, etc. are very helpful.

The only problem with this book is that SQL Server 2005 does not fully support XML Schemas. Because this book was written using a beta product (I believe) perhaps the author could not have know exactly how the final version would shake out. However, partial support of standards is important to any developer. You often find out only by trial and error what is supported and what isn't. The Wrox web site offers nothing of the kind for this book. So buy this book, but be aware if you are using complex XML Schemas there may be some surprises (e.g., notation not supported).

Editorial Review:

• Discusses SQL Server 2005 XML from the server and client sides
• Examines using XSLT to render the XML data that is retrieved from SQL Server, particularly for ASP.NET
• Addresses SQL Server relationship with schemas, SOAP, XML security, and .NET
• Makes extensive use of examples to solve problems that programmers face on an everyday basis and features Server 2005 XML best practices

XML in Easy Steps (In Easy Steps)

Mike McGrath

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Editorial Review:

XML in Easy Steps is designed for new users who want to quickly get up to speed, from job seekers to programmers to hobbyists. In clear, step-by-step instructions, and with screenshots illustrating every example, it demonstrates the parts of XML that have become popular in today's real-world applications. The book begins with a description of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) along with the associated technologies of Document Type Definition (DTD), XmlSchema Documents (XSD), and the eXtensible Stylesheet Language (XSL). It then illustrates how XML can be used to create Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), how to access XML data with JavaScript, and how to deploy XML in modern AJAX web applications. At the book’s end, even the newcomer has a solid understanding of XML and can create well-formed documents and validating schemas.

Flash XML Applications: Use AS2 and AS3 to Create Photo Galleries, Menus, and Databases

Joachim Bernhard Schnier

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Add seamless, interactive, user-controlled delivery to your Flash applications. This book builds upon your understanding of basic ActionScript (AS) syntax with the foundational skills that you need to use XML in Flash applications and AS2 or AS3 to migrate your existing applications.

Beginning with an introduction to XML, XML parsing methods, and a short introduction to AS2 you learn how to create a universal XML load/onload Class as well as a universal XHTML parser. Then you learn how to use Components using XML as the data source, including the menu, menubar, datagrid and tree component. Finally, a tutorial project-the design and development of a Real Estate Web site that contains an XML search engine-pulls it all together with hands-on experience.

All the applications use XML as the data source and are written as class files. Select parts of the Real Estate Web site are redeveloped in AS3 for purposes of illustration. The new XML class is presented and specific code examples demonstrate techniques to apply methods and use properties. Particular attention is paid to the differences between AS2 and AS3 and how to effectively transition from one AS version to the other.

The companion CD contains code for all of the properties and methods of the AS2, AS3, and XML class examples. Components for the Real Estate Web site project are also provided.

* Build on basic ActionScript syntax skills
* Add seamless, interactive, user-controlled delivery

Xslt

Doug Tidwell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

XML is an elegant and straightforward way to define data-centric documents to feed almost any kind of data processing or rendering system. The linchpin of many XML solutions, however, is XSLT. This standard provides a way to transform your XML documents into other XML formats, HTML, and almost any other format you wish. XSLT is an excellent tutorial on this critical technology, a must-have text for developers getting serious with XML.

This book is targeted at busy developers who want to learn standards-compliant skills with XSLT and learn them fast. The author uses the Apache Xalan XSLT engine for demonstration, but the material in the book is equally applicable to the XSLT engine in Microsoft's MSMXL parser, Saxon, and many other equivalent XSLT processors.

The material is presented logically from the transformation of a simple "Hello World!" XML file to an HTML document onto XPath locations, branching, linking, combining XML documents, and extension functions. After laying the groundwork for what XSLT can do, the author presents a fairly sophisticated case study--an online tutorial generator that generates HTML files, PDF files, and Zip files.

Aside from being a subject tutorial, XSLT is also an excellent reference that comes in handy for daily coding. The appendices cover XSLT, XPath, a function reference, and a frequently asked questions section. These reference sections include complete examples that make each concept quite clear. XSLT provides the horsepower behind XML, and this book provides the perfect vehicle to master transformation techniques. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: Basic style sheet structure, XPath data model, branching and control elements, links and cross-references, sorting and grouping, combining XML documents, XSLT extension functions, case study, XSLT reference, XPath reference, function reference, XSLT guide (FAQ).