XML in a Nutshell : A Desktop Quick Reference

In a Nutshell

by Elliotte Rusty Harold, W. Scott Means

XML, the Extensible Markup Language, is a W3C endorsed standard for document markup. Because of its ability to deliver portable data, XML is positioned to be a key web application technology.Given the complexity and incredible potential of this powerful markup language, it is clear that every serious developer using XML for data or text formatting and transformation will need a comprehensive, easy-to- access desktop reference in order to take advantage of XML's full potential. XML in a Nutshell will assist developers in formatting files and data structures correctly for use in XML documents.XML defines a basic syntax used to mark up data with simple, human-readable tags, and provides a standard format for computer documents. This format is flexible enough to be customized for transforming data between applications as diverse as web sites, electronic data inter-change, voice mail systems, and wireless devices, to name a few.Developers can either write their own programs that interact with, massage, and manipulate the data in XML documents, or they can use off-the-shelf software like web browsers and text editors to work with XML documents. Either choice gives them access to a wide range of free libraries in a variety of languages that can read and write XML.The XML specification defines the exact syntax this markup must how elements are delimited by tags, what a tag looks like, what names are acceptable for elements, where attributes are placed, and so forth. XML doesn't have a fixed set of tags and elements that are supposed to work for everybody in all areas of interest for all time. It allows developers and writers to define the elements they need as they need them.Although XML is quite flexible in the elements it allows to be defined, it is quite strict in many other respects. XML in a Nutshell covers the fundamental rules that all XML documents and authors must adhere to, detailing the grammar that specifies where tags may be placed, what they must look like, which element names are legal, how attributes attach to elements, and much more.

Genres: Reference, Programming, Technical, Technology, Computers, Computer Science, Nonfiction

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jan Kroken · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ancient, so a new edition would be extremely welcome, but as xml books haven’t been in fashion the last decade, this is what we got.

It gives a good overview of xml and related tech. The prosa part is good. The reference part too verbose for my taste, and given the age also only partially useful.

[Paul Pryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to about page 49 and Document Type Definitions and realised this is “doing” book. Still solid though.

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

An able introduction and reference to the alphabet soup of XML standards including XML itself, DTDs, XSLT, XPath, XLinks, XPointers, CSS, XSL-FO, XML Schemas, DOM, and SAX. Whew!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

XML: the grab-bag, so-what-you-will, make-it-up-as-you-go-along, there-are-rules-strict-rules-(sort-of) technology that bends you to its will as much as you can bend it to yours. And this book is a decent round-up of the most common, widely-deployed implementations -- with enough general knowledge to help you sort through the more specific ones (or help you in creating your own).

A better title for it might have been: "XML: A Developer's Almanac". (Which, I suppose is a good-enough alternative title for any book in the O'Reilly "Nutshell" series.)

[Maurizio Codogno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nel caso vogliate imparare a usare XML, non comprate questo libro, e scegliete qualcos'altro.
In compenso, quando comincerete a masticarlo, allora sarà il momento di prenderlo, perché vi darà una visione completamente diversa e più ampia delle logiche dietro al linguaggio.
La mia è la prima edizione, e quindi manca la parte sugli schemas, ma già così è assolutamente indispensabile.

[Paul Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes a dude just wants to know how sh*t works, y'know?

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another go to book--this is my quick reference when working with XSLTs and XPath

[Kai Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a book for beginners, as it's not didactically structured. But it's a good overview and reference for those who are already initiated.

[Don Massenzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good XML reference. I was new to XML and this book helped me overcome the learning curve.

[Chang]

It was a great book, a huge reference!