Markup Technologies '99 Tutorials

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1999

Morning Half-Day Tutorials:
9:00 am - 12:30 pm

A Non-Technical Introduction to XML Schemas
Instructor: Murray Maloney, Muzmo Communications Inc.
An XML schema is a formal expression of the structure of an XML document and of constraints on text contained therein. XML's existing Document Type Definition can be used for this purpose. But there is a growing recognition that a DTD is inadequate or inappropriate for expressing what many of the current and anticipated applications of XML require. This tutorial focuses on the requirement for an XML schema language and highlights the concepts of an XML schema definition. It also discusses the ways a schema language will facilitate the use of XML on the Web.

The DOM (Document Object Model) - Theory
Instructor: Lauren Wood, SoftQuad Software Inc.
Prerequisite skills: A basic knowledge of XML.
The DOM defines a standard interface to XML documents. This means that applications can be built on top of that interface much more quickly and reliably than if developers had to learn a new way of doing things for each software application or language they came across. This tutorial is part one of a two-part tutorial that covers basic navigation and manipulation of an XML document.

Introduction to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
Instructor: Chris Lilley, World Wide Web Consortium
SVG is a language for describing two-dimensional graphics in XML. SVG drawings can be dynamic and interactive. The Document Object Model (DOM) for SVG, which includes the full XML DOM, allows for straightforward and efficient vector graphics animation via scripting. This tutorial describes the design principles and intended area of application of SVG. Attendees will not only understand what the spec says, but why and how to make best use of it. Both standalone (valid) SVG and integrated (well-formed) SVG used as part of a multi-namespace compound XML document are explored.

SGML to XML Migration:  The Business Case
Instructor: Hans Holger Rath, STEP Electronic Publishing Solutions GmbH
Prerequisite skills: Conceptual knowledge of SGML and XML.
XML is standing in the limelight and there are a lot of reasons for moving from a proprietary word-processor format or the restricted tag set of HTML to XML. There are a lot of arguments and easy-to-calculate business models for a migration of this kind. But what about the migration from SGML to XML? SGML users ask, "Is it worth it to migrate to XML?" "Is it the right time?" "What will be the benefits?" This tutorial gives answers to all these business questions, thus helps you decide whether to migrate to XML.

An XML Audit
Instructor: Charlie Halpern-Hamu, Incremental Development, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: Able to read a DTD.
Evaluate your organization's use of SGML to determine how far you are from XML. This half-day tutorial guides participants through an 'XML audit': a review of current markup practice with an eye towards simplification. Participants are taught how to assess the XML-readiness of their DTDs and documents as a first step towards moving them towards XML.

HTML to XML Migration:  The Business Case
Instructors: Norma Haakonstad and Vi Kellersohn, Arbortext, Inc.
It is becoming clear that XML will be one of the next-generation language leaders on the Web. Implementing XML can be a substantial investment of time and money and one that requires thorough consideration and a good business case. This tutorial is designed to help you understand the business benefits of XML over HTML and to justify the cost of implementing XML, whether your objective is to support multiple outputs or to re-engineer your information production processes.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1999

Afternoon Half-Day Tutorials:
2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Evaluating, Selecting, and Implementing e-Content Management Systems
Instructor: Mary McRae, Document Management Solutions Inc.
Confused about the new generation of content management systems? Not sure how to wade through the marketing hype? Learn how to identify the features that are important to your organization, and then navigate the trade-show floor looking for the right system. In this tutorial the different types of content management systems available are discussed, along with a review of the capabilities of these current product offerings. What are the important questions to ask a vendor? A consultant? A reference account? And once you've made the selection, how can you avoid pitfalls along the way? Learn everything you need to get started on the path to building a successful knowledge delivery system in this tutorial.

The DOM (Document Object Model) - Practical
Instructor: Lauren Wood, SoftQuad Software Inc.
Prerequisite skills: A basic knowledge of XML and DOM theory.
The DOM defines a standard interface to XML documents. This hands-on afternoon tutorial time is spent on giving participants practical DOM implementation techniques, and focuses on the ways in which the DOM can be used to navigate, access, and manipulate an XML document. Technology Requirements: Participants are to bring their own laptop computers, and should download and install some DOM-supporting software, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, the latest version of Mozilla from mozilla.org, XML::DOM for Perl (search at www.perl.com) or a DOM implementation for Python (search at www.python.org). Participants are also welcome to email the instructor at lauren@sqwest.bc.ca for advice, but please do so at least two weeks before the tutorial.

WebCGM and Intelligent Graphics in Web Environments
Instructors: John Gebhardt, InterCAP; Lofton Henderson, Inso HSI; and Dieter Weidenbrueck, ITEDO Software GmbH
WebCGM™, a W3C Recommendation since January, 1999, is a major step forward for Intranet and Internet document graphics, a composite vector/raster format with good HTML and XML integration facilities. CGM, an ISO standard since 1986, has long been a requirement in mission-critical technical document applications. This tutorial examines the basic content and structure of a CGM, its applicability and domain, some critical real-world interoperability issues and solutions, the status of WebCGM™, relationship to other Web content formats (XML, HTML, and the emerging SVG), available tools and how to work with WebCGM™, and work in progress (e.g., CGM DOM) to improve the integration of CGM and WebCGM™ in XML environments. A live demonstration of WebCGM™ Interoperability is included.

Browsing with XML
Instructor: Dianne Kennedy, GCA/XMLXperts Ltd.
Prerequisite skills: A basic knowledge of XML tagging.
This tutorial provides an introduction to current options for XML browsing. Cascading Stylesheets (CSS2) and Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) are introduced as mechanisms to enable us to view XML directly on the Web. Software from leading browser vendors is demonstrated, so participants can compare current XML browsing technologies.

XML Vocabularies for Publishing
Instructor: Linda Burman, L. A. Burman Associates
It's no secret that XML's success depends on wide adoption of efficient industry-specific vocabularies. This tutorial reviews existing XML vocabularies and metadata frameworks like RDF, DOI, INDECS, Dublin Core, DPRL, and news.xml in the context of their applicability to magazine and news publishing. It also covers other related initiatives that are in development like eCommerce initiatives. In addition, the tutorial examines PRISM, a new initiative to develop a Metadata vocabulary for repurposing, aggregating and syndicating magazine and news content.

XML and Electronic Commerce
Instructor: Robert J. Glushko, Commerce One, Inc.
This tutorial provides a comprehensive introduction to XML as the foundation technology for the next generation of electronic commerce. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of "domain-specific languages" like OTP, OBI, RosettaNet, ICE, and XML/EDI. It also introduces the CommerceNet eCo specifications and the Common Business Library, both designed to ensure interoperability among Internet trading communities and marketplaces.

eCo Framework for eCommerce
Instructor: Murray Maloney, Muzmo Communications Inc.
In order to promote interoperation between heterogeneous eCommerce systems on the Internet, there is a basic requirement for trading partners to be able to discover each other on the Internet, determine whether they want to do business, determine if their eCommerce systems can communicate, determine what modifications need to be implemented to ensure interoperability, and if desired, establish communications "out of band" of the Internet. This tutorial explains the conceptual framework defined by the eCo Architecture and identifies how the eCo Architecture meets these basic eCommerce requirements.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1999

Full-Day Tutorials:
9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Working with XML in Python
Instructor: Paul Prescod, ISOGEN International Corp.
This tutorial is an introduction to Python in general and its XML processing features in specific. It shows how Python currently supports both event-based APIs such as SAX and tree-based APIs such as the DOM. It also demonstrates how Python seamlessly integrates these features with access to Java classes, COM and CORBA objects, relational databases and Internet protocols.

Introduction to XML and Related Technologies
Instructor: David Booth, Bluestone Software, Inc.
This one-day course provides developers with a working knowledge of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and some associated technologies, including: the Document Type Definition (DTD), XPointers, and XLinks. Participants receive hands-on experience with each stage of an XML document's life span, including creation of their own well-formed XML documents, defining them with DTDs, and finally retrieving select portions of an XML document using XPointers.
Technology Requirements: Participants who wish to try the hands-on lab exercises should bring a laptop computer running Java. Labs have been tested on JDK version 1.2.2, 1.2.0 and 1.1.6, though other versions may work also.

XML Schema Languages: A Technical Introduction
Instructor: Henry Thompson, University of Edinburgh
Prerequisite skills: Technical knowledge of XML, XML DTDs, and computer grammars.
XML Schema definition language proposes facilities for describing the structure and constraining the contents of XML 1.0 documents. The schema language, which is itself represented in XML 1.0, provides a superset of the capabilities found in XML 1.0 document type definitions (DTDs.) This tutorial provides a technically detailed examination of the most recent XML Schema by one of its editors. In addition, the tutorial presents an introduction to schema constraints, types, composition and symbol spaces along with terminology used throughout the specification. Part two of the tutorial discusses specifying a language for defining datatypes to be used in XML Schemas.

Working with XML in Perl
Instructor: Clark Cooper, Independent Consultant
This hands-on tutorial provides an introduction to basic Perl programming practices, then continues onward with a description of the recently developed Perl modules for processing XML, with some nontrivial sample applications. Finally, it describes how the current Perl/XML programming interface is constructed, so that those with alternative ideas can construct their own customized interfaces.

Introduction to Topic Maps
Instructors: Michel Biezunski, Infoloom, and Steven R. Newcomb, TechnoTeacher, Inc.
The Topic Maps International Standard (ISO/IEC 13250:1999) provides a standard syntax for interchanging the information needed to support collaborative creation and maintenance of finding aids such as indexes and glossaries. Topic Maps permit such index modeling information to be maintained separately from the materials that are indexed. User interfaces to topic-map-based applications can dynamically reconfigure themselves in powerful and surprising ways, based on user profile information, such as the user's preferred natural language, skill level, security clearance, task requirements, etc. This one-day tutorial provides an overview of the Topic Maps architecture, covering concepts, syntax, an assortment of applications, and the business opportunities this new standard offers.

Working with XML in Java
Instructors: Tom Gaven, MindQ Publishing and Joseph Hughes, Nextel
This hands-on tutorial describes how XML and Java can work together to provide dynamic Web pages. The tutorial covers an overview of Java Technolgy such as Applets, Servlets, Java Server Pages (JSP) and Enterprise JavaBeans(tm) (EJB). A brief introduction to XML, SVG and parsers (event-based and tree-based) is covered. Standard Java parsing are demonstrated using the SAX API, DOM API, and stylesheets. Samples also show some of the enhanced parsing capabilities of IBM's XML4J parser. In addition, hands-on exercises incorporate stylesheets, SAX and DOM.
Technology Requirements: Participants are to bring their own laptops (including a floppy drive for the exercises), with Java2 SDK, Windows, and IE5. Also, download and install LotusXSL, SVGView and IBM's XML4J parser (all available at www.alphaworks.ibm.com).

XSL Concepts and Practical Use
Instructors: Paul Grosso and Norman Walsh, Arbortext, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: Basic knowledge of XML.
XSL is a language for specifying stylesheets for XML documents. XSL offers both powerful transformation capabilities and a rich set of formatting objects for describing the rendering of information marked up with XML. XSL is being presented by W3C in several pieces:

• Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL)
• XSL Transformation (XSLT)
• XML Path Language (XPath)

This technically oriented full-day tutorial concentrates on XSL in all the above specifications, as well as covers the syntax and techniques required to write both simple and sophisticated stylesheets.

Corel WordPerfect 2000 XML Quick Start
Instructor: Jacques Deseyne, Sema Group
Prerequisite skills: Familiarity with any WYSIWYG word processor, basic knowledge of SGML or XML.
This hands-on, one-day tutorial introduces the XML structuring capability which is a standard feature of Corel WordPerfect Office 2000. The tutorial concentrates on the aspect of structured editing will only touches on where the generic word processing functionality is concerned. Participants learn to configure the XML component of WordPerfect, set up an authoring environment for any XML DTD, apply layout and style specification to an XML document, validate XML, produce well-formed XML, and apply "automatic" tagging to existing non-XML documents.
Technology Requirements: Participants must bring their own laptops, with Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0 and a CD ROM drive.

Unicode, Fonts, and Character Sets
Instructor: Dave Peterson, SGMLWorks!
Prerequisite skills: A basic knowledge of XML.
This course provides a basic overview of computer fonts and characters. Participants learn the different ways "the Unicode character set" can be understood and the problems that arise when character set differences are ignored or not recognized. Participants also learn what "Unicode compliance" means, what character code standards exist or are being proposed for the World Wide Web, how XML does and does not conform to those standards, and whether the differences will be important for their applications of XML.

Building the XML Foundation
Instructor: Elaine Brennan, Architag International
This one-day tutorial is designed to give you a basic understanding of Extensible Markup Languages (XML), how it can be used, and who is using it. Other specifications under development such as XLink, XPointer, XSL, and various schema proposals will be discussed. Tools are reviewed to give you an idea of what is available as well as what is needed.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1999

Morning Half-Day Tutorial:
9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Constructing SGML/XML Architectures Using Architectural Forms
Instructor: Martina Hemrich, STEP Electronic Publishing Solutions GmbH
Prerequisite skills: SGML or XML knowledge.
Architectural Forms enable an elegant definition of a "family" of SGML/XML document types with various demands on individual DTDs. Semantic editing DTDs, for instance, can be mapped on neutral publication DTDs or industry standard DTDs by integrating predefined elements into any kind of DTD with different names and different content models. This tutorial provides an introduction to concepts, possibilities of use and syntax of the SGML/XML techniques. Using architectural forms, the participants learn how to formulate different views onto SGML/XML instances using an Architectural Engine. The Architectural Forms are then mapped on those instances.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1999

Afternoon Half-Day Tutorial:
2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Forest Automata: Efficient Transformations and Schemas
Instructor: Paul Prescod, ISOGEN International Corp.
"Forest" (or "Hedge") Automata Theory is a recently rediscovered branch of computer science that is directly applicable to processing XML and SGML data. Forest automata can be used as a formal basis for schema languages and validation processors. They can also be used to implement efficient algorithms for transformation algorithms. This technical and mathematical talk is of interest to XML implementers with experience in regular expression and context free grammar theory.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1999

Full-Day Tutorials:
9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Working with XML in Python
Instructor: Sean McGrath, Digitome Electronic Publishing
Prerequisite skills: Previous exposure to any other programming language, familiarity with XML assumed.
Python is an "open source", powerful, object oriented, scripting language. There are very few restrictions on its use - even in commercial applications. Python has excellent support for XML and Internet application development. It has interfaces to everything from Oracle to Microsoft Word. It is easily embedded in another application and easily extended in C or C++. This tutorial is a hands-on introduction to XML processing with Python. And overview of the main features of the language is presented followed by worked examples of Python support for SAX, DOM and native Python APIs for XML processing.

Markup and Typography
Instructor: Liam R. E. Quin, Independent Consultant
Prerequisite skills: SGML or XML knowledge.
This one-day tutorial provides an introduction to typography and graphic design so that attendees can go on to work with stylesheets (XSL, DSSSL or other) and composition software with confidence. Interactions between markup and typography is discussed, and the more technical areas of computer typography, such as measurements, fonts, and encoding, is explored.

Working with XML in Perl
Instructor: Clark Cooper, Independent Consultant
This hands-on tutorial provides an introduction to basic Perl programming practices, then continues onward with a description of the recently developed Perl modules for processing XML, with some nontrivial sample applications. Finally, it describes how the current Perl/XML programming interface is constructed, so that those with alternative ideas can construct their own customized interfaces.

Topic Map Software and Design
Instructor: Michel Biezunski, Infoloom, and Steven R. Newcomb, TechnoTeacher, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: The Introduction to Topic Maps tutorial.
The recent development of the topic map paradigm is an important milestone in the history of accessing and maintaining knowledge. This optional second-day, technical, hands-on topic maps tutorial provides advanced discussions of topic map software and design. Special note: This tutorial is intended for developers and implementers.

OmniMark Quick Start
Instructor: Charlie Halpern-Hamu, Incremental Development, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: SGML or XML knowledge, knowledge of OmniMark.
The best way to learn is by doing, so this full-day, hands-on tutorial has participants writing short OmniMark programs within minutes of starting. The tutorial alternates between short conceptual overviews (with all laptops closed) to hands-on exercises. Participants also work somewhat independently on guided projects that practice basic programming skills.
Technology Requirements: Participants must bring their own laptops with OmniMark 5 software, which can be found free of charge at www.omnimark.com.

Working with XML in Java
Instructors: Tom Gaven, MindQ Publishing and Joseph Hughes, Nextel
This hands-on tutorial describes how XML and Java can work together to provide dynamic Web pages. The tutorial covers an overview of Java Technolgy such as Applets, Servlets, Java Server Pages (JSP) and Enterprise JavaBeans(tm) (EJB). A brief introduction to XML, SVG and parsers (event-based and tree-based) is covered. Standard Java parsing are demonstrated using the SAX API, DOM API, and stylesheets. Samples also show some of the enhanced parsing capabilities of IBM's XML4J parser. In addition, hands-on exercises incorporate stylesheets, SAX and DOM.
Technology Requirements: Participants are to bring their own laptops (including a floppy drive for the exercises), with Java2 SDK, Windows, and IE5. Also, download and install LotusXSL, SVGView and IBM's XML4J parser (all available at www.alphaworks.ibm.com).

Creating XML DTD's
Instructor: Michael Hahn, Architag International
This hands-on course is designed to introduce the basic syntax, and to teach you how to create a well-formed XML document and a DTD (Document Type Definition) for valid XML documents.
Technology Requirements: Participants are to bring their own laptops, including a floppy drive for the exercises. Laptops should be running Win32, if not, please contact the instructor at least two weeks before the tutorial at mhahn@architag.com.

Beginner's LaTeX for SGML/XML Users
Instructor: Peter Flynn, Silmaril Consultants
Prerequisite skills: Knowledge of SGML/XML markup and DTDs, understanding of document layout, familiarity with text editing, and fluency in using a computer.
This course introduces the use of LaTeX for typesetting SGML and XML documents. It compares the LaTeX, SGML/XML, and word processor document models, explains methods of conversion, and shows how to use LaTeX packages for customizing output. During one portion, attendees build a sample application taking the data from a DTD and editing through conversion, formatting, and output to paper and PDF.
Technology Requirements: Participants must bring their own laptops, with Linux or Windows and a CD-ROM.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1999 and
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1999

Two-Day Tutorials:
9:00 am - 5:30 pm (both days)

Migrating from SGML to XML: DTD Issues
Instructors: Mike Petree and Selena Bauer, ISOGEN/DataChannel, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: Able to read and write DTD code.
This two-day course addresses the issues confronting people with existing SGML systems who wish to migrate to XML, but whose DTDs are not transparently portable. Topics covered include: SGML/XML syntax differences, identifying problem areas in an SGML DTD, SGML declaration red flags, and designing a migration strategy. The course consists of lectures and workshop sessions where participants have the opportunity to solve migration challenges presented by the instructors, followed by a class discussion of the options uncovered and the risks and benefits associated with each option.

Practical Transformations Using XSLT and XPath
Instructor: G. Ken Holman, Crane Softwrights Ltd.
Prerequisite skills: Knowledge of XML concepts and syntax.
This hands-on tutorial provides a practical introduction to the new Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations (XSLT) and XML Path Language (XPath). The objective of the course is to provide an understanding of the role and utility of the standard, to successfully write W3C XSLT transformation scripts, and to efficiently navigate the available documentation and resources. The relationship of XSLT to XSL is explained, though details of XSL Formatting Object semantics are not covered.
Technology Requirements: Participants must bring their own laptops (with a floppy drive for the exercises), with either a W3C XSLT processor or a Java platform installed.

Data Modeling Workshop
Instructors: Marcy Thompson and Suzanne Putt, ISOGEN/DataChannel, Inc.
Prerequisite skills: Able to read DTD syntax, and completely comfortable with document instance syntax.
A two-day workshop that addresses the issues that arise in the course of a document modeling project. The course provides an overview of the steps you can take to ensure that you develop the "correct" data model for your information and your system requirements. The approach taught is easily modifiable to a variety of organizational models, including the long-term-multiple-stakeholder data modeling project and the fast-and-dirty-two-person data modeling effort. Attendees are provided with ample opportunity to practice what was taught in workshop exercises where they develop real data models. While coding and documentation are discussed, the focus of this course is on the design of a useful, maintainable, extensible data model which satisfies project requirements.