XML Introduction, Thales Training Consultancy

XML INTRODUCTION

Duration:

2 days (available on an in-house or customised basis only)

Price:

On Request

Locations Available:

Suitable for:

The course provides a technical introduction to XML and delegates will quickly get up-to-speed with the concept of working with structured documents and the importance of reusability of data. Delegates will learn how to create well-formed and valid XML documents, using both a text editor and an XML editing tool. They will also build a simple DTD and use XSLT to convert XML data to HTML.

The benefits of working with structured documentation and the origins of XML will also be discussed.

Objectives:

By the end of the course delegates will be able to:·

Create and edit XML documents·
Describe the difference between “well formed” and “valid” XML·
Create and edit simple DTD’s·
Combine XML documents by using external entities·
Have a brief introduction to XSLT

Course content

A Brief Overview of XML·

What does XML stand for?·
The difference between SGML, HTML and XML
The advantages of using XML·
Understanding the jargon:
Elements; Attributes; Entities; Processing Instructions; DTD’s; Parsers and Browsers·
The benefits of working with structured information

Getting Started·

Planning a structured document ·
Editing an XML document using a variety of tools·
Using a text editor to create a simple “well formed” XML document·
Include the XML declaration·
Setting a “Root” tag

XML Elements·

Naming conventions of XML Element tags·
The importance of Start and End tags·
Nesting tags·
Empty elements·
Relationships between elements

XML Attributes·

What are they and why do I need them?·
Naming conventions·
Assigning Attributes to Elements·
Different types of Attributes

Comments and Special Characters·

Including comments within your XML document·
Inserting special characters “ ‘ < > &

Producing a Valid XML Document·

Guidelines for creating “valid” documents·
Syntax ·
XML Vocabulary ·
Setting a DOCTYPE·
Internal Entities

DTD’s ·

Why use a DTD?·
Techniques for creating a DTD·
Content models, connectors and symbols·
Creating a simple internal DTD·
Linking an external DTD to your XML document·
Editing and updating your DTD to include Attributes

Validation·

Running a validation tool through your XML document to ensure it conforms to your DTD

CDATA ·

What is CDATA?·
Include CDATA sections in your XML document

Cross-Referencing·

Using special Attributes to link (cross-refer) data

Combining XML Documents·

Creating External General Entities·
Including general entities within an XML document

Working with Graphics·

Including graphics within your XML document·
Using Entities and Notations to allow different graphic formats to be included in your XML document

Introducing XSLT·

A brief overview of XSLT·
Creating a simple Style Sheet and applying to your XML document·
Transforming XML to HTML to display on your web browser