Imperfect XML: Rants, Raves, Tips, and Tricks ... from an Insider (Paperback)

Description:

"XML projects succeed or fail for many reasons other than XML. David's book goes beyond the angle brackets, giving a lot of information people need to know when planning and implementing an XML project, when choosing XML technologies, and when betting on XML standards."
--Dr. Ron Daniel, Principal, Taxonomy Strategies, former acting chair of the XML Linking working group and member of the RDF working groups

"Most books in this area are either beginners' guides, in-depth reference works to the foundational standards, or guides to using XML in particular environments or application areas. This book takes a broader approach for non-beginners and describes where XML can be used profitably in the real world. Highly recommended."
--Dr. Marc J. Hadley, Senior Staff Engineer, Web Technologies andStandards division, Sun Microsystems

"Imperfect XML is a thorough and engaging exploration of the issues XML practitioners are likely to face, with considered advice from one of the trailblazing authorities in the field"
--Neil Bradley, XML and Publishing Consultant and author of The XML Companion, The XSL Companion, and the XML Schema Companion

XML projects can fail for all kinds of reasons, from unrealistic overall goals to mishandled low-level technical decisions. Fortunately, one of the world's leading XML consultants is ready to show you how to avoid XML pitfalls on your next project.

Since its invention, David Megginson has been helping to drive XML to new levels. He led the team that developed the SAX streaming API now used worldwide, has been a key contributor to the World Wide Web Consortium, and has served as a consultant to many of the world's leading companies, including Boeing, Reuters, and McGraw-Hill. Drawing on this vast experience, Megginson offers in this book expert solutions and problem-solving guidance for virtually any XML project challenge. You'll discover best practices for planning, budgeting, scheduling, and managing any XML project: content management, data interchange, legacy integration, or Web services. And you'll find technical insights that only an expert like Megginson can offer.

Coverage includes

• Setting expectations and planning for extensibility: key success factors in XML projects
• Choosing standards, technical approaches, and architecture
• Overcoming hidden pitfalls in single-source publishing from XML source
• Intelligent searching with XML: essential design and implementation strategies
• Using XML in enterprise integration: practical realities and workarounds
• Scaling smoothly from demo to production system
• Making XML fast: real help for overcoming XML performance problems
• Managing the security risks associated with sending XML data across the Internet
• Recognizing when XML technology is wrong for your project

From start to finish, Imperfect XML presents a clear-eyed view of XML's advantages and limitations--and technical and management solutions proven to make it work.

Table of Contents:

List of Tables.

List of Figures.

Preface.

I. XML DECISION MAKING.

1. The Standards Maze.

    The Advantages of Standardization.

    The Disadvantages of Standardization.

    XML Standards Players.

    XML-Related Specifications.

    Special Topics.

    Final Words on Standards.

2. Planning an XML Project.

    Components of an XML Project.

    XML Project Pitfalls.

    How XML Projects Can Succeed.

    Final Words on Planning.

II. XML IMPLEMENTATION.

3. XML Documents.

    Advantages of XML for Documents.

    Disadvantages of XML for Documents.

    Formatting and Production.

    Special Topics.

    Final Words on Documents.

4. XML Data.

    The Advantages of XML Data.

    The Disadvantages of XML Data.

    Common Data Styles.

    Markup Issues.

    Special Topics.

    Final Words on XML Data.

5. XML Networking.

    Advantages of XML Networking.

    Disadvantages of XML Networking.

    XML Networking Styles.

    Special Topics.

    Final Words on XML Networking.

III. SPECIAL ISSUES.

6. XML Searching.

    The Advantages of XML Searching.

    The Disadvantages of XML Searching.

    Markup Considerations.

    Final Words on XML Searching.

7. XML and Legacy Information.

    Advantages of XML for Legacy Information.

    Disadvantages of XML for Legacy Information.

    Special Topics.

    Final Words on XML and Legacy Information.

8. XML Performance and Size.

    Advantages of XML for Size and Performance.

    Disadvantages of XML for Size and Performance.

    Processing Performance.

    Size.

    Final Words on Performance and Size.

9. Final Words.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index.