XML
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
|
|
XML |
|
Once the site at the new server is ready, this message will automatically disappear!
Meanwhile, you can see how the move is progressing at the status page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction Finding other books |
|
Titles: |
Introduction |
|
When I started this page a few years ago and looked around Amazon for books about XML nearly all I could find was books with rather scathing customer comments. I finally picked two, based on the reader comments. Interestingly, one of those is now in its fourth edition and still getting lots of positive reviews, so it's still here. By now, there is a flood of books. In the last few years, there have been a lot of developments, so older books will not treat the newer technologies (not necessarily a problem, if the book does treat the subject you're interested in). |
|
 |
|
XML For Dummiesby Ed Tittel, Norbert Mikula, Ramesh Chandak
|
|
 |
|
XML by Example
|
||
Background
|
This book was not yet published when I started learning about XML with the Dummies book mentioned above, but I wish it had been.
I actually like it a lot better. With his easy to read writing style the author covers a
lot of material. Even though I already had the Dummies book, I bought this one anyway. I especially liked the section about designing
your own language and developing a DTD for it.
 |
|
Learning XML: (Guide to) Creating Self-Describing Data
|
||
Background |
Here's yet another approach at learning about XML.It begins with an excellent summary of XML's
history as an outgrowth of SGML and HTML. The all-important Document Type Definition (DTD) is covered in depth, but the alternative,
XML Schema, is only briefly addressed since it was not an official standard yet at
the time of writing; don't let that stop you, DTDs
(although less powerful) still are used far more. XPointer and XLink are treated as well, not to forget presentation with
CSS and
transformation with XSLT. Don't miss the Sample chapter and the
author's article in the Background sidebar: both show the easy to read
and clear writing style, and the article is a treat by itself!
 |
|
XML for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide
|
||
Background
|
Yet another way to get started with XML if
you like the Visual Quickstart books. The author has written several successful books in this series. Like the other two books mentioned
above, it won't get you there all the way, but it will get you started.
 |
|
XML Specification Guide
|
||
Background
|
This is the second XML book I bought, and
after just reading the Dummies book to get started, I found it hard to follow. After XML by Example it's not so
hard anymore. It covers only one subject: how to specify an XML Document Type
Definition but it does this with a great amount of detail and precision. If you need to define your own XML language and share it with others, you should get this book.
 |
|
Inside XML DTDs: Scientific and Technical
|
||
Background
|
Since I was interested in defining my own XML language(s), this is another book I bought. On the
subject of creating a DTD it's not as detailed as the XML
Specification Guide but the interesting part of this book is its coverage of a lot of real-world XML languages such as RDF and MathML that are publicly available. The CD contains all of the
DTDs discussed, sample documents, and software.
 |
|
Professional XML 2nd edition
|
||
Background
|
This is one of a series of books about XML in the "Professional" Wrox Press series. For anyone who
wants to use XML to build applications and systems, but not for those on the move:
with its 1170 pages (Amazon can't count) it won't fit in your notebook case. With 12 authors there are some unavoidable overlaps, but the
book covers a lot of material in detail. I generally like the books in Wrox's Professional series, and I like this one.
(I have the 1st edition.)
 |
|
XML in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference
|
||
Background
|
Not quite a slim volume, but maybe this one will fit in your notebook case. I don't have it (yet)
but it's probably my next XML book: I like the Nutshell series with just the right
amount of reference and explanation, and this one has positive reader comments on Amazon.
 |
|
The XML Handbook: 4th edition
|
||
Background
|
Obviously these authors know what they are writing about: Goldfarb was one of the original
authors of IBM's GML and then SGML; Prescod is part of the W3C XML Working Group.
If you need a thorough and practical introduction to XML, this is the book I'd buy.
This was one of the two books I originally listed on this page; it's now in its fourth edition (covering all new technologies) and still
getting positive reviews.
 |
|
Inside XSLT
|
||
Background
|
Sooner or later, when working with XML,
you'll need to use XSL to style or transform your XML document into another document, whether that's also XML or HTML or something else. Though I don't own a book about
XSL myself yet, this book looks like a good choice, once
you've learned the basics of XML and XSL from one of the general XML books mentioned above.
Covers the basics as well as advanced material, with lots of examples.
 |
|
XSLT Programmer's Reference 2nd Edition
|
||
Background
|
This looks like another good pick, with favorable readers' comments. Note that the title isn't lying
about it being a 'programmer's reference': you already need to be familiar with XML and understand how XSL fits into the picture to be able
to use this book. Not a book to learn the basics from.
Finding other books |
|
You can use these search forms to search Amazon.com's or Amazon.co.uk's catalog for books, software, and more. And
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
let me know
