What is this course about?

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is the standard format for structured documents and data on the Internet. In this course, you gain hands-on experience using XML. XML documents are an important building block in creating applications. You learn how to create well-formed XML documents, validate them with DTDs, and process the content of an XML document to insert data into and retrieve data from a relational database.

What background do I need?

It is assumed that you have experience writing HTML from scratch. Specifically, you should know how to create anchors, tables and forms. Programming or scripting experience in JavaScript or VBScript is recommended.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course benefits those who plan to:

• Create XML documents from scratch or convert HTML documents into XML and vice versa
• Deploy more efficient business-to-business solutions
• Leverage XML and XSL to enhance their Web presence

Does this course cover database integration?

Yes. This course covers how to integrate XML with relational databases. Participants carry out hands-on exercise extracting XML documents from a SQL Server database.

Does this course cover XSL?

This course introduces the major features of Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), the language that controls the presentation of XML documents. (XSL is also used to convert XML documents.) For more in-depth coverage of XSL, consider Course 549, Hands-On XSL: Transforming and Styling XML.

Does this course cover DTDs?

Yes. Document Type Definitions (DTDs) are a method to define the structure and grammar of a document, which an XML parser then uses to interpret a document. DTDs are used to ensure that XML documents adhere to relevant business rules. The course covers DTDs in depth and has hands-on exercises to reinforce the components of a DTD.

Does this course cover DOM?

Yes. The Document Object Model (DOM) allows programs and scripts to dynamically access and update the content, structure and style of documents. DOM is covered in great depth, including hands-on exercises to reinforce the material.

Is this course specific to one vendor?

No. The W3C promulgates open standards, and this course follows this philosophy. The course focuses on the XML standard.

How much time is devoted to each topic?

What kinds of hands-on exercises are in this course?

Approximately 40 percent of class time is spent on hands-on exercises creating a complete XML system, which includes writing and validating XML documents with XSL that interface into a database. Web-based technologies that are incorporated in the exercises include XML, Document Type Definition (DTD), Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), Document Object Model (DOM), XML Schemas, ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Exercises include:

• Creating well-formed XML documents
• Applying processing models to access XML data
• Extracting XML from relational databases
• Designing XML documents from business requirements
• Reading and creating XML documents using the DOM
• Encapsulating business rules in an XML schema
• Rendering an XML document as HTML and PDF
• Integrating XML and DOM to implement an Ajax application

What systems and software are used with this course?

The normal classroom setup uses Pentium 4 PCs running Windows XP with the latest XML tools and browsers. Everything you learn about XML and XSL applies equally to UNIX, Macintosh, Windows, OS/2 and other operating systems.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers several courses related to this topic. For information on these courses, please see the individual course Q&A.

For more information on XSL, consider this course:

• 549, Hands-On XSL: Transforming and Styling XML 

If you are interested in Web Services, you may be interested in these courses:

• 577, Building XML Web Services with Java: Hands-On 

• 508, Building Web Services with .NET 2.0: Hands-On 

If you are interested in Web development, you may be interested in these courses:

• 470, Developing a Web Site: Hands-On 

• 487, Designing and Building Great Web Pages: Hands-On 

• 489, JavaScript for Web Development: Hands-On 

• 566, Internet Information Services 6 for Windows Server® 2003: Hands-On 

If you are interested in learning about Java, you may be interested in these courses:

• 471, Java Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 570, Developing Java Web Applications: Hands-On