The XML Files

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Interesting and New XML-Related Content

A Look at XML
A general, easy-to-understand introduction to the XML language, with tons of resources and hyperlinks.

Building Languages with XML
The Extensible Markup Language allows you to create custom languages (technically called vocabularies) for particular applications, which can be anything from a Web page to an e-commerce interface to a game to a complete virtual world. Here's an overview of how (and why) to create your own custom XML vocabularies, as well as examples of some existing ones.

Xploring XML: Registering and Publishing with RSS
Now that you've learned how to make an RSS news feed for your site, what are you going to do with it? Shout about it to the world, and submit to syndication sources near and far!

Exploring XML: RSS Viewer Applet
Join our XML Xpert as he builds a window to the world of news. The intro to this handy Java applet peers into the parsing of RSS files, and pries open their content for all to see.

Scalable Vector Graphics: An Introduction
Scalable Vector Graphics represents a collaborative effort by some of the biggest players in the computer world to find a workable cross-platform solution to Web imaging. And it's XML-ready!

Introduction to Data - XML
Introduction to Data - Part 9 of our Introduction to the Web Application Development Environment (Tools) series continues our look at the web technologies that define, describe, or standardize the basic characteristics of the data.

Why XML?
The computing press has found a new savior for the ills that afflict computing and the Web: XML. XML is new, it's exciting, and it's got to be good, because the specification for it looks indecipherable. XML's hype level has already drawn fire from some quarters, from those accusing it of 'balkanizing the Web' or of increasing the load on an already strained Internet. Most important, many developers are wondering why exactly they need to learn yet another language.

Introduction to XHTML, with eXamples
Find out how the successor to HTML4 can help you prepare your site for the Web of the future with this article by WDVL's founder, Alan Richmond.

Introduction to XML For Web Developers, Part 3: The DTD
There are many rules you must follow in order to assure that your XML document is well-formed. But even when you write well-formed XML documents, you're not quite out of the woods! You must also make sure that the document is valid. This third and final section deals with making your well-formed XML document valid by using a DTD.

E-Commerce Watch: More than a Language -- XML is a Security Tool Too!
XML is at the root of new security initiatives from IBM and the FSTC. See how they can put you on the fast track to success for business-to-business e-commerce.

Introduction to XML For Web Developers, Part 2
Well-formedness has an exact meaning in XML. Specifically, a well-formed document adheres to the syntax rules specified by the XML 1.0 specification. In this month's tutorial, Selena looks at those rules in depth.

Introduction to XML For Web Developers -- Part I
Sick of reading about XML on every-other headline these days without really understanding what it is? Well, here's your chance to "get it." Part I of Selena Sol's four-part XML tutorial explains this new markup language from top to bottom, front to back -- with clear, easy-to-understand examples. It'll make an XML eXpert out of you! <fun>stuff</fun>

XML: It's Not Your Father's HTML
HTML is about the display of content, XML is about creating, sharing and processing information. XML gives you a way to define tags that are specific to a particular purpose and describe information consistently. This consistency means XML can be processed automatically, in a wide variety of situations.

XML Broadens Horizons of Formatting and Presentation
The Intranet Advisor discusses the background of markup languages and the differences between XML and HTML.

XML Via the Document Object Model: A Preliminary Course
While XML is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive way to structure data, it does not, by itself, process the data. One technology which can be employed to process XML data is the Document Object Model, a construct which provides programatic access to the components of an XML document.

Using XML to Streamline EDGAR Reporting
John Pavlov of Interleaf explains how implementing structured documents as collections of reusable data elements is the key to simpler regulatory filings.

Cacheworthy: Java-based XML Engine
Beta 2 of Datachannel/Microsoft XML Parser now available.

Event Horizons: Xplor 1998
The electronic future of printing and publishing is being built at this trade conference. A walkabout by insider David Weinberger.

Preparing for XML: Dmitry's Design Lab
The revolution is coming, will you be ready? XML is on its way and if you don't know how to separate form from function you may be setting your sites too low. Find out how to modularize your HTML to prepare for the coming XML/XSL perestroika.

XML: Old Whines in New Battles
In the rush to learn, implement, and profit from XML, many of the questions being asked are the same ones which came up when HTML was new. Can we learn from the lessons of HTML and make the Web a more productive and reliable resource for providers and users alike? By Peter Flynn.

What is XSL?
The eXtensible Style Language will be the CSS of XML, if the W3C can get its ACT together.

Past Columns

WDDX: A Deeper Look

In which we learn what WDDX actually looks like, and how it can help transfer not only data, but also data relationships, between Web applications.

Just One More Acronym: WDDX

Nate Zelnick explains how global Web stupidity led to the creation of a crazy-like-a-fox method of exchanging data between applications.

Understanding the DOM, Part 3

The DOM has just been passed as a final recommendation by the W3C. In this column, learn the structures and interfaces within the DOM that allow you to program it directly.

Understanding the DOM, Part 2

More of those pesky details of the Document Object Model become clear, especially when you look at the picture. When you finish this column, you'll know all there is to be node about objects within the DOM.

Understanding the DOM
The Document Object Model is almost as misunderstood as the Dr. Pepper soft drink. But you might be surprised to find out how easy it is to swallow.

Time Out From Behaviors
When the standards don't stay still for more than a week at a time, what's a columnist to do? But things could be worse...imagine if you had to re-edit every <IMG> tag you ever wrote...

XML Gets Into Action (Sheets)
Everyone's heard of Microsoft's proposed Behaviors...but Netscape's Action Sheets have gotten less press. Which one is closer to what's currently a standard?

Hints of XML Future in Forthcoming Browsers
With the release of a developer edition of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.0, and the imminent release of a beta of Netscape's Navigator 4.5, it's time to check how each company is living up to its pledge to support W3C recommendations when it comes to XML.

Not All SMILs
Is SMIL even necessary? How industry politics are affecting the new SMIL proposed standard.

Getting Deep Into Metadata
All about the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and its close, sometimes confusing relationship to XML itself.

Above and Beyond: Understanding Metadata
How XML helps organize your data for the convenience and edification of developers, site visitors, and search engines alike...and how it fits in with the new SMIL standard.

XML Meets Java...and Meta Data
A look at an XML-based application that uses a Java-based parsing engine, and explains why XML and meta data are an unbeatable combination.

Premiere: Welcome to The XML Files

Top XML Resources

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