This book introduces XML concepts using step-by-step code examples. Don't skip past the first part, since its descriptions of XML basics build a foundation for the rest of the book. An up-to-date snapshot of where the various pieces of the XML puzzle stand in the standardization process, and where the technology is likely to head, greatly aids the reader in understanding the discussion about schemas. For example, it's probably not a good idea to learn the syntax of the XML Schema, because the standard is still rapidly evolving.

The discussion of the Document Object Model, the programming tool for manipulating XML data structures, is excellent, with code examples that turn XML concepts into reality with useful VB utilities for controlling XML trees. As the book progresses, the reader will be directed to build an XML editor and explore distributed objects, data transformation, and much more. All of the sample application code is available from the publisher's Web site. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered:

• XML
• DTDs
• MS Schemas and XML Schemas
• Document Object Model
• XML Queries
• XSLT
• XPath
• XPointer
• XLink
• Simple API for XML (SAX)
• SOAP
• XML data manipulation
• Distributed objects
• Data transformation
• Microsoft Word-to-XML conversion