COIN78 - XML Syllabus
Objectives
This course provides an introduction and overview of XML, including writing well formed and valid XML, the use of DTDs, XML schema, CSS and XSL for formatting, and advanced topics in XML including XPath, XLink and XPointer. You will submit five assignments that will include at least five XML files, an external DTD, a Cascading Stylesheet, (CSS), an XML Schema document (XSD), and an XSL file for presentation and formatting. There are two optional assignments, comprising a sitemap.xml and RSS file, and a final writing assignment.
As much as possible, I will use prebuilt files as examples to help in learning. XML is the workhorse of e-business integration, foundation of middleware, and the next big wave in Web publishing. This course will give you a good overview of key subjects, and the necessary tools and hands on experience to become an XML developer. My expectations are that you will participate in the weekly tutorials, and work through the example files. Please stay on task and on track as there are a lot of exercises to work through.
Prerequisites
This class assumes completion of a formal class in HTML or equivalent knowledge and skills. You will need to know a little about how to use CSS files, and it is recommended that you look into downloading XML Pad (if you use a PC) to make your life easier. This is especially critical when you are validating your XML files with an external DTD and schema. I expect you to be able to check your work using validation tools.
Assignments
There are six required coding assignments. You will turn in one at the end of (roughly) every other week. For the summer session you will turn in one at the end of every week. The first assignment is a bare bones XML file (simple.xml) that I use to set up your local folder. Please edit this file with Notepad and put your name and email address in it using a comment line. Check it in MSIE or Firefox for well formedness. Following that, you will move into assignments one through five. Each of these assignments are worth 15 points. The final writing assignment is due in the last week of the quarter, and is worth 25 points, or one quarter of your grade. There are a total of 20 points of extra credit, which include building an XML sitemap or working with RSS and RDF.
In addition to emailing me assignments, you will also post a statement in ETUDES-NG that you have submitted the assignment. If you do not post this statement, I have no way of posting points for the assignment. All grading in this course is electronic, so you must post an assignment entry in ETUDES-NG.
Extra Credit
There is one extra credit assignment. You will build a basic sitemap.xml file, upload it to your website, and have it indexed with Google (using Google Webmaster Tools). You will also build an RSS file, and link that from your website. Each of the assignment components is worth between 5 and 10 extra credit points.
Grading Rules
All assignments are due on the prescribed date, according to the schedule. Due to the rigidity of ETUDES-NG, there can be no 'extensions' on assignment submissions. If an assignment window has closed, it has closed. No assignments can be submitted after the final day of class, without exception. Incomplete grades are not available in this class. If you are nervous about grades, sign up with the pass / fail option. And remember that communication early and often works best to resolve hurdles.
Textbooks and Class Material
Recommended: XML: Visual QuickStart Guide (2nd Edition), ISBN 0-321-55967-8. I also recommend XML for Dummies (Publisher for Dummies), and Learn XML in 24 Hours (Sams) (May 1, 2002) ISBN: 0764516574 Please note that -any- text book that works for you, works for us, and you may already have one or more good books. The tutorials and example files will get you a long way, but eventually you'll need a good book to look at when pondering the tricky stuff.
Email Correspondence
Please read this very carefully. All email correspondence -must- include COIN78 in the subject line. Email without a subject line, or a subject line I do not recognize, will be deleted. I usually respond to all reasonable email within 24 hours Monday through Friday, and within 48 hours on Saturday through Sunday. You will often receive a response the same day.
This is a college course, and communications through email and ETUDES Private Messages are expected to be collegial in nature. Excessive complaining, threatening, and non-collegial dialog may be grounds for being dropped from the course. I work very hard to keep material as current and accurate as possible, and correct errors and discrepancies as I find them, and expect you to be collegial in reporting them.
My Goals
My sole purpose in this course is to help introduce you to XML, and master the basic skills that will help you become an XML developer. Assignments, example files, tutorials, and projects will help get you there. If you work hard, you will succeed in these goals.
