XML Weekend Crash Course (with CD-ROM)

Rating:
Summary: XML: Weekend Crash Course
Review: Book Description

XML Weekend Crash Course is an excellent source for beginners and experienced users alike for learning or enhancing XML skills in just 15 hours or 30 well-thought out sessions. You will gain a thorough understanding of XML documents and learn what it takes to create working, viewable XML.

XML WCC will walk you through step-by-step on how to systematically apply each task in a building block manner. As you work through each chapter, you feel as if a trainer and coach is guiding you through the process. Key areas in the text that enhance the learning experience are the Tips, Notes, Time Clock Progress Icon, Explanations of the Task, Review, and the Quiz Yourself Questions at the end of each chapter. As XML becomes ever more prevalent for applications on the Web, XML WCC is definitely a must for those who need to know how to get started in creating XML documents.

What does this book cover?

- Using tags to label XML content
- Formatting XML documents for display in a Web browser
- Building applications around XML documents
- Understanding how XML documents are processed
- Learning several ways to create XML documents
- Learning the two major building blocks of XML documents
- Taking advantage of the many tools available for validating
- Attributes, uses, and benefits of DTD's (Document Type
Definitions)
- Learning about graphic types and options
- Simple transformations with XSLT and X Path
- Using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and applying XSLT style
sheets automatically
- Introduction to XML schemas
- Linking and querying XML documents

Book Info

Offers the novice and experienced XML user a solid foundation in understanding the key attributes and the applications of XML documents. Upon completion of XML WCC, users will feel confident in their understanding, application, and future development as they move forward in XML learning. Softcover.

This book includes a CD-ROM as well. The CD-ROM contains a self-assessment test, source code for session examples, software that can be installed, and links to other useful software.

Rating:
Summary: Errata for this book - solving errors Andy mentioned
Review: Hello:

In Andy's review, he mentioned errors in the book. This is correct. Due to some software changes since its 2001 publication, there are some code bits that need to be adjusted to make things work.

While HungryMinds is no longer publishing under that label, they are part of Wiley and Wiley provides the needed info. This book's errata, which includes solutions for these issues, may be found at http://www.wiley.com/extras/xml_crash_course/ .

Rating:
Summary: Does what it sets out to do
Review: If you are new to XML and wish to know how XML relates to HTML, DTD, XLST, XPATH, and XHTML, this should be your first book.

The book is clearly written in bite sized sections with quizes that follow. Each section reiterates concepts of prior sections to ensure you understand what you read.

I completed the book in less than the recommended 15 hours and can say than I have nearly 100% comprehension of the material.

I commend the authors on a job well done.

Rating:
Summary: Errata for this book - solving errors Andy mentioned
Review: This is a great book for newbies like me, but there were a lot of errors (mostly incorrect names for associating files) that you have to figure out on your own. The errors occur once every 2 to 3 chapters, so it isn't too bad - just annoying. From what I've seen, the CD has the correct file names so there's some relief there. Unfortunately, the publishing company went out of business so you can't go to their website to get updates with corrections.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but it has its quirks
Review: This is a great book for newbies like me, but there were a lot of errors (mostly incorrect names for associating files) that you have to figure out on your own. The errors occur once every 2 to 3 chapters, so it isn't too bad - just annoying. From what I've seen, the CD has the correct file names so there's some relief there. Unfortunately, the publishing company went out of business so you can't go to their website to get updates with corrections.