Introduction to XML Fundamentals (TT4300)

Course Objectives

This course provides a deep dive into the practical use of W3C standards (including XSL and XML Schema), and how to implementing these tools and technologies. This course is programming language independent, making it useful for Java, .NET, C++, and any other programming orientation. After this course you’ll be able to quickly apply XML to projects at both an architectural as well as a line-by-line coding level. 

In addition to valuable knowledge and working examples, you’ll also receive a copy of the "Xtensil" product.   This unique software was developed to assist in implementing, testing, and fielding XML applications.  Xtensil is used as both a teaching aid and a straightforward, basic, fully functional XML toolkit that you’ll be able to use on both Windows and Linux platforms.

Throughout this course you’ll learn to:

• Write well-formed XML documents
• Model business requirements using XML
• Handle XML reserved characters
• Validate an XML document with a Schema
• Centralize data and markup definition with entities
• Create Schemas using XML tools
• Generate XML documents from databases
• Write XSL templates to transform XML documents into HTML
• Integrate XML, XSL and the DOM to implement a complete solution
• Understand the security concerns related to XML processing

Course Prerequisites

This is an introductory-level XML training course, designed for those needing an introduction to concepts and technologies associated with XML and its related recommendations. Previous experience or knowledge of HTML is helpful but not essential.

Please see the Related Courses tab for specific Pre-Requisite courses, Related Courses or Follow On training options. Our team will be happy to help you with recommendations for next steps in your Learning Journey.

Course Agenda

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We will work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most.

Session: XML Content

Lesson: Introduction to XML

• XML Separates Structure, Content and Format
• Content: XML Document Syntax Rules
• Structure: DTD or XML Schema
• Formatting: XSLT Transformation to HTML

Lesson: XML Mechanics

• XML Document Structure
•  Rules for Well-Formed XML
• Content as MarkUp
• Namespaces Associate Alias with a URI
• Exercise: Well-Formed XML Documents

Session: XML Structure

Lesson: Namespaces

• XML Namespaces
• Name Collisions
• Namespace Scope
• Namespaces Best Practices
• Exercise: Working with Namespaces

Lesson: Structure Using Schemas

• Document Type Definition (DTD)…
• W3C XML Schemas
• Elements, Attributes, and Types
• Restricting Simple Types: Facets
• Complex Types
• Attribute Definitions
• Derivation by Extension
• Using XML Schema with Namespaces
• Exercise: Create a Simple Schema
• Exercise: Schema Development and Use
• Exercise: Extending the Schema
• Exercise: Using Namespaces and Schemas
• Exercise: Managing Large Schema (Optional)

Session: XML Formatting

Lesson: CSS and Rendering XML

• Cascading Style Sheets and XML
• XML/CSS Processing Flow
• Exercise: CSS and Rendering XML

Lesson: XSL Transformations

• XPath Describes Locations Within XML
• XSLT is Rule-Based Transformation Language
• XSL is Oriented Towards Formatting
• Exercise: XSLT and Transforming XML

Lesson: XSLT and XPath

• XPath Data Model
• Location Paths
• Additional Filtering
• XPath Operators and Functions
• XSLT Stylesheet Structure
• Templates Are The Rules
• Conflict Resolution for Templates
• Calling Templates
• Looping, Sorting and Conditional Processing Constructs
• Exercise: Working with XPath
• Exercise: XSLT Development and Use

Lesson: Overview of XPath/XSLT 2.0/3.0 (Optional)

• XPath 2.0 Improvements
• XPath 2.0 and XQuery 1.0
• XSLT 2.0 Improvements
• XPath 3.0/3.1 Features
• XSLT 3.0 Features
• Exercise: Transforming XML – XSLT 2.0 (Optional)

Lesson: XSL FO (Formatting Objects)

• XSL Family Working Together
• Apache’s FOP: Rendering XML
• Page Types Can Be Conditional
• Content Flows Into Page Regions
• Exercise: Working with XSL-FO

Session: Applying XML

Lesson: XML Interoperability

• XML From a Data Perspective
• XML/Database Interfacing
• Challenges to Mapping XML

Lesson: XML Performance Improvements

• Best Practices
• Organization of Best Practices
• Exercise: Best Practices Review

Lesson: XML Processing Security

• XML Parser Coercion
• XML Attacks: Structure
• XML Attacks: Injection
• Safe XML Processing
• Exercise: Safe XML Processing
• Exercise: Dynamic Loading Using XSLT

Lesson: XML Applications

• W3C Activities
• Benefits of XML
• Drawbacks of XML
• Crossing Boundaries
• Challenges to Integration

Course Materials

Course Materials: Each participant will receive a Student Guide with course notes, code samples, software tutorials, step-by-step written lab instructions, diagrams and related reference materials and resource links. Students will also receive the project files (or code, if applicable) and solutions required for the hands-on work.

Classroom Setup Made Simple:  Our dedicated tech team will work with you to ensure your classroom and lab environment is setup, tested and ready to go well in advance of the course delivery date, ensuring a smooth start to class and seamless hands-on experience for your students. We offer several flexible student machine setup options including guided manual set up for simple installation directly on student machines, or cloud based / remote hosted lab solutions where students can log in to a complete separate lab environment minus any installations, or we can supply complete turn-key, pre-loaded equipment to bring ready-to-go student machines to your facility.  Please inquire for details.