Target Audience

This course is designed for Java and web developers who are already familiar with XML and are looking to further their web application development skills with Java and XML. The course covers how Java can be used to validate, parse, transform and create XML documents.

Pre-requisites

The developer should be familiar with the host environment - either Windows NT/2000, Windows 95/98 or Windows XP. Knowledge of the Java programming language is required, as Java is used to validate and manipulate XML documents. This can be gained by attending course EC22. A knowledge of XML is also required. This can be gained by attending course EC51.

Course Objectives

Whilst covering the basics of Java and XML, and how it is used, this course also aims to give an insight into the different standards and formats for validating, transforming and creating XML documents. On completion of this course the student will be able to:

•     Validate and transform XML documents using SAX 2.0
•     Validate and transform XML documents using DOM 2.0
•     Validate and transform XML documents using the XSLT API
•     Validate and transform XML documents using the JDOM API

Course Environment

•     a text editor such as Notepad or TextPad
•     XML Spy

•     Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater
•     Netscape 6.0 or greater

•     the Java Development Kit (JDK) plus a text editor
•     JBuilder
•     VisualAge for Java
•     Websphere Studio Application Developer

Course Details

THE JAXP API

The Simple API for XML - SAX

The Document Object Model - DOM

When to use the SAX and the DOM

THE SAX 2.0 API

The Java SAX Packages

SAX APIs

Creating a SAX Parser

SAX Parser Factory

Creating the SAX Class

Importing the required Classes

Setting Up the Parser

Implementing the ContentHandler Interface

Writing the XML Output

Identifying the Document Location

Passing Processing Instructions to the Parser

Validating Parsers

Handling Errors

Fatal Errors

Catching a SAXParseException

Catching a SAXException

Handling a SAXPException

Non Fatal Errors

Handling Non Fatal Errors

Handling Warnings

Schema Validation

Tracking Ignorable Whitespace

Switching Special Characters

Implementing Interfaces

DTDHandler Interface

EntityResolver Interface

Converting from SAX 1.0 to SAX 2.0

THE DOM 2.0 API

Creating a DOM Parser

Importing the Required Classes

Setting Up the Parser

Handling Errors

Displaying a DOM Hierarchy

Node Translation

Navigating the DOM Hierarchy

Generating a DOM from First Principles

Converting from DOM 1.0 to DOM 2.0

THE XSLT API

XSLT Packages

Transforming a DOM Into an XML Document

Transforming a DOM Subset

THE JDOM API

What Is JDOM ?

Why Use JDOM ?

The JDOM Packages and Classes

Processing a JDOM Document

Outputting a JDOM Document

Creating an XML Document

Formatting an XML Document

Reading Parts of a Document

THE FUTURE OF XML

XML Futures

XML Web Sites

Course Format

Practical sessions make up a large part of the course, allowing delegates to demonstrate and reinforce the lectures given. During these sessions the delegate will gain experience of coding both SAX and DOM parsers to validate and parse XML documents. Examples are used extensively, ranging from simple code snippets to full applications with complete ‘real world’ functionality. These are supplied at the start of the course and it is encouraged that the delegates execute and ‘experiment’ with these under the instructor’s guidance as they are introduced. These examples are available to take away, along with the delegate’s own work. The comprehensive Student Guide supplied is fully indexed serving as a useful reference tool long after the course has finished. Delegates will also be able to access a free help-line with technical questions relating to topics covered on the course.