Web developers rely on XML to separate data from presentation and create a consistent templating system for a web site. Although limited XML-to-HTML conversion is possible within some browsers, web developers creating dynamic or complex sites will find server-side XML transformation a necessity. Unfortunately, until recently, there have been few XML tools available for server-side XML transformation or authoring.

AxKit, a mod_perl and Apache-based XML content delivery solution, was designed to meet that need with a cost-effective and efficient plugin architecture. AxKit allows the developer to quickly design modules to create faster web sites, and deliver them in a wide variety of media formats. AxKit also takes care of caching so the developer doesn t have to worry about it. AxKit meets the demands of the web developer nicely, but, as with any new toolkit, there is a learning curve.

Applied XML Solutions presents a series of projects rather than a tutorial format. The projects follow a natural progression from simple to complex. Within each chapter, helpful sidebars highlight XML fundamentals necessary to understand the project in progress. This will save readers' time having to look to another source if they forget a key detail. The last project incorporates techniques discussed throughout the book. The author will illustrate alternative solutions wherever appropriate. Applied XML Solutions shows professional developers how to apply XML to a variety of real-world applications, including: XML as a scripting substitute, using RSS to syndicate content to multiple & non-traditional browsers such as WAP-enabled handheld devices, using XSLT to facilitate communication between incompatible systems, separating web content from web code, importing data from various file formats.

For managers the book is too heavy on the technical details of XML and XML Schema. For developers and architects who would actually want to implement a semantic application there is too little substance on ontologies, semantic web, semantic web services or OWL to be of any use.

Many chapters (and the book in general) are poorly organized. For a much better (and more practical) explanation of the key concepts check out the recently released "Explorer's Guide to the Semantic Web".

XML by Example is a hands-on guide for those who already know the basics of HTML authoring but want a complete introduction to the exciting new world of XML. It lives up to its title, with plenty of examples of actual XML, HTML, JavaScript, and Java code. The author is an experienced trainer in XML and Internet technology, and the result is a particularly clear and well-informed tutorial.
Beginning with an overview of XML technology, the book goes on to explain XML syntax complete with a list of common errors and misunderstandings. Next comes an explanation of DTDs (Document Type Definitions) and then a guide to transforming XML into readable output with XSL (XML Stylesheet Language) and CSS (cascading style sheets). That accounts for the first half of the book. The second part focuses on the programmer's view of XML, with information on XML parsing, the DOM (Document Object Model), and SAX (Simple API for XML). Finally, there is a walkthrough of a multitier e-commerce application using XML and Java servlets. There is an appendix providing a crash-course introduction to Java.

   Part I.  Introduction
        Chapter 1.  XML and Security           
        Chapter 2.  Digital Cryptography Basics    
   Part II.  XML Basics
        Chapter 3.  The Extensible Markup Language           
        Chapter 4.  XML Document Type Definitions           
        Chapter 5.  XML Schema           
        Chapter 6.  XPath: A Basic Building Block           
        Chapter 7.  URIs, xml:base, and XPointer           
        Chapter 8.  SOAP