XML in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

In a Nutshell

by Elliotte Rusty Harold & W. Scott Means, W. Scott Means

This powerful new edition provides developers with a comprehensive guide to the rapidly evolving XML space. Serious users of XML will find topics on just about everything they need, from fundamental syntax rules, to details of DTD and XML Schema creation, to XSLT transformations, to APIs used for processing XML documents. Simply put, this is the only reference of its kind among XML books.Whether you're a Web designer using SVG to add vector graphics to web pages, or a C++ programmer using SOAP to serialize objects into a remote database, XML in a Nutshell thoroughly explains the basic rules that all XML documents -- and all XML document creators -- must adhere to, Quick-reference chapters also detail syntax rules and usage examples for the core XML technologies, including XML, DTDs, Xpath, XSLT, SAX, and DOM. If you need explanation of how a technology works, or just need to quickly find the precise syntax for a particular piece, this up-to-date edition is ready with the information. XML in a Nutshell is an essential guide for developers who need to create XML-based file formats and data structures for use in XML documents. This is one book you'll want to close at hand as you delve into XML.

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

640 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!