Product Description
Talk about a powerful marriage! (extensive Markup Language) is the hottest format for transferring data across the Web and other networks, and Java is the most potent programming language for developing secure, interactive Internet applications. Put them together, as this guide masterfully demonstrates, and the result is the happiest coupling on earth for creating the next generation of advanced Internet apps. Readers enjoy step-by-step guidance on building and implementing XML applications in Java, with real-world examples that span financial analysis, document management, and e-commerce.Amazon.com Review
With complete coverage of Extensible Markup Language (XML) and a focus on compatibility with the Java programming language tools, Building XML Applications by Simon St. Laurent and Ethan Cerami is a fitting choice for Java/XML developers.
Building XML Applications covers XML and its relationship to SGML and HTML (its Web markup language relatives). The book explores the power of XML as it relates to other key technologies, including relational databases, file systems, and object databases. Also illustrated is the symbiotic relationship XML will have with various information infrastructures.
This XML guide presents a step-by-step introduction to XML syntax. Well-formed documents are discussed in depth, and the guide explores available tools for helping you create Document Type Definitions (DTDs). It’s rare to find an XML book that covers cascading style sheets (CSS), and Web developers will benefit from coverage of the competing document style models–the more established CSS and the lesser used eXtensible Style Language (XSL)–as the transition from CSS to XSL becomes more likely to occur.
There are generous sections on XML parsers with complete coverage of the /ELFRED and Microsoft parsers, as well as the Simple API for XML (SAX). Six real-world examples are provided, making this book appropriate for budding XML coders using both Java applets and full applications. With a good balance of foundational material and sample code, this title offers a well-rounded introduction to Java/XML application development. –Stephen W. Plain
This book roughly covers 3 topics: XML Syntax, how to build XML application, and some examples of the application.
As for my background, I have a developed a HTML webpage for a business and have a CS degree.
To my disappointment, this book make it almost impossible to learn XML. First, the authors introduce the terms that they are not going to explain for several chapters, which make it difficult to follow. Second, the authors’ explinations are so fragmented that I don’t know how to create a XML page even after I read AND understand the XML syntax section.
I have learned many lanuges, including HTML, LaTex, and UNIX man page format. I only had this much trouble picking up a language when the book is poorly written.
If you have an extensive background on XML and are desparate for some examples of building XML application, this book *perhaps* can help you. If you are not an expert on XML, save your money for better books. And for those who will decide to buy this book anyway, just remeber my words “I told you so” when you are in line trying to return this book.
Rating: 2 / 5
I just got the book and am pleasantly surprised to find it interesting, helpful, and understandable. I bought XML and Java: Developing Web Applications at the same time and was very disappointed in it. I’m pleased to report on a great book.
Rating: 5 / 5
The book explains, as other XML books do, the basics of XML. Discussion in this book is mainly focused on how to use SAX parser to read XML data and there is no discussion on DOM. The contents, specifically the examples in the book are not really helpful to “build” applications but understand how one might use a SAX parser to parse an XML document.
A good “101″ book for someone trying to understand how to use Java and XML.
Rating: 2 / 5
I bought “Building XML Applications” expecting a ractical hands-on approach, a demonstration of XML capabilities by way of actual examples. And while I found the book to be, in general, technically useful, the book is weighed down by a writting style that is, at best, verbose and redundant. There is so much of this stylistic padding that it becomes rather tedious to get past the crud. I understand writers sometimes get paid by volume, but if you have nothing to say, say it! Overall, a good source book (as long as you don’t try to actually read it).
Rating: 3 / 5
I found the in depth review of the parsing tools available to the Java community extremely useful. With no previous knowledge of XML, I was able to incorporate XML parsing into my apps in under a week.
However, the book is weak on presenting styling information, particuarly in the area of XSL. I realize that this was and is a rapidly changing standard, but a basic background with examples would have been nice.
Rating: 4 / 5