Just XML

by John E. Simpson

Discover how much you can do with just XML - fast Building a sophisticated web site doesnt require a Ph.D. in computer science, just the right tools for the job - and no tool offers you more power... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 013018554X
• ISBN13: 9780130185549
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR
• Length: 500 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Starter for Anyone Interested in XML

As a developer of an XML certificate program, I have been reviewing many XML titles in the last several months. I found this Second Edition of Just XML the best choice for the first course in a 3-course curriculum. The author is gifted in expressing technical (sometimes sophisticated) concepts in simple terms, using analogies that are familiar to us in everyday life. The author made the right choice of XML-based standards, i.e., XML Syntax, DTD, Namespace, XLink, XPointer, XPath, CSS, and XSLT, because all of them are at least in W3C CR status. The consistent use of B-Movies as case studies throughout the book helps readers stay within the same subject in understanding XML applications. I found half a dozen errors (mostly typos) in the book. I will send an e-mail to the author for inclusion in the errata on his website, where one can also download the examples given in the book.

Excellent book for the XML beginner.

If you are beginning to learn XML and need a book that is easy to understand Just XML is the perfect book. This is not a book for programmers or e-commerce developers but it provides an excellent foundation of XML knowledge. An excellent purchase to beginners (like me) and those that need to use XML for computer to computer data interchange.The examples using FlexLM are entertaining and educational. They help make Just XML a very enjoyable read.

Great book, well written, easy to understand!

Obviously a book that people either love or hate! All 1, 2, or 5 stars. Well, count me as one who loves it because I think the author's done something pretty amazing. He's made XML accessible to me. I'm not stupid or technically incompetent, just someone who'd like to use XML to display stuff on the Web.In the negative reviews, people seem upset that Just XML wasn't written for them--CS, Jave programmers, and similar types who are looking for some kind of a reference book. Just XML isn't one of those books full of tables of commands and screen shots (except for one chapter, covering XML software). On the other hand, most of the people I know never know what to do with those books either.The author says in his comments here and at his website that XML can be used for a lot of complicated tasks. You can make up an XML markup vocabulary for operating the space shuttle, I guess, or for reporting on currency rates of exchange. In my working life (for food wholesaler), I don't know anything about the space shuttle or currency exchange rates, so I appreciate the author's problem--how to satisfy me as a reader as well as the people who are into much "bigger" businesses. I, personally, liked the B movie examples. They're clear and understandable. And just when I was afraid of getting lost, he threw in a joke or a funny story or a B movie review and I was okay again.Not counting the writing style, the best thing about Just XML's content is its chapters on the two XML linking standards, Xlink and Xpointer. Even though those two standards aren't final yet, the author does an excellent job of explaining why HTML linking isn't good enough and why the new standards will help solve the problems. Before reading Just XML, I don't think the notion of a multi-directional or out-of-line link would have made any sense at all to me. Now, I can't wait to try things like that in my own web pages.The one problem with Just XML is the chapter on the Extensible Style Language. Since the book came out, the proposed XSL standard has already changed drastically. I hope a second edition will fix it.One or two stars? No way.

Well written and thought out, a good guide

This book is very well written and thought out, clearly explaining the fundamental ideas and concepts of XML (as well as a variety of related concepts).

Very well rounded, thoroughly readable

Not only is XML itself very interesting, it has been presented in a very understandable format in this book. Reading W3C's specifications after reading this book is a breeze because you understand most of the concepts. I would suggest you that to get a grasp on XML, start with this book. But once you have understood the basics, make sure you read the latest versions of the XML specifications from the W3C's website. The author of this book has also setup his website in XML . Buy this book!