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Learn the Latest from W3C at XML '99
W3C is certainly working overtime. It seems we are in a constant
race to bring new Web standards to life to support our increasing appetite
for new Web functionality.
It is difficult to keep up to date, even for those of us who are
tasked to do so. I certainly
try to capsulate the latest developments in the XML Files. But even taking the time to read
the latest summaries can be taxing. Just look at some of the latest developments!
New Proposed Recommendations
- 24 August: HTML
4.01 Specification - This document is an upgraded
Recommendation, first issued 18 December 1997, revised 24 April 1998
- Review Ends 22 September 1999
- 24 August: XHTML!"
1.0: The Extensible HyperText Markup Language A Reformulation of
HTML 4.0 in XML 1.0
New Working Drafts
- 28 September: Paged
Media Properties for CSS3
- 28 September:
Unicode in XML and other Markup Languages
- 24 September:
XML Schema Part 1: Structures
- 24 September:
XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes
- 24 September: Ruby
- 23 September: Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2
Specification - Last Call Ends 8 October 1999
- 16 September: User Interface for CSS3
- 10 September: XHTML!"
1.1 - Module-based XHTML
- 10 September:
Modularization of XHTML!"
- 10 September:
Building XHTML!" Modules
- 10 September: International Layout
- 6 September:
XHTML!" Document Profile
Requirements
- 6 September:
XHTML!" Extended Forms Requirements
- 3 September: Authoring
Tool Accessibility Guidelines
- 3 September:
Techniques for Authoring Tool Accessibility
Guidelines
XML 99 has specifically been designed to help bring
you up-to-date on these and other standards news. During XML 99 you will have two
opportunities to learn the latest about Web standards from W3C. The first is a W3C update,
provided by Dan Connolly from W3C immediately following the keynote
presentations on December 6, the opening day of the XML 99 Conference. Second is the Core Standards
track that runs throughout the conference. During this track speakers from W3C will provide
overviews of today s most important standards. Standards covered during the core track include:
December 6, 1999
XML and Digital Signatures
This specification defines syntax and procedures for the
computation, verification, and encoding of digital signatures using XML.
In addition, it proposes a solution to authenticating Web resources by
means of XML. Learn details by attending this session.
XHTML
XHTML 1.0 is a reformulation of HTML 4.0 as an XML 1.0
application. This session focuses on the ways XHTML differs from HTML and
why it was developed. The modularization of XHTML 1.0 into semantic
modules and implementation of the modules through a DTD are highlighted.
Finally the W3C plan to provide tools to convert HTML documents into
valid XHTML is discussed.
CSS
This session introduces Cascading Style Sheet standard, CSS. Both the
concept of a style sheet and why this particular standard enables styles
to "cascade" are discussed. The latest additions to the CSS
specification are presented. Learn how to use CSS with both HTML and XML
in this session.
XSL
The newest Web standard for style is known as eXtensible Style
Language. Although XSL is still on the drawing board, it holds tremendous
potential for interacting with XML. What is XSL? How is it different from
CSS and DHTML? What is the status and schedule for this promising W3C
standard? This presentation provides an overview and the latest
information on style specification using XSL.
December 7, 1999
SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics
SVG provides a language for describing two-dimensional graphics in XML.
SVG describes vector graphic shapes (e.g., paths consisting of straight
lines and curves), images and text. SVG enables us to group, style,
transform and composite graphic objects into previously rendered objects.
SVG drawings can be dynamic and interactive. The feature set includes
nested transformations, clipping paths, alpha masks, filter effects,
template objects and extensibility. SVG works with the Document Object
Model (DOM) to allow for vector graphics animation via scripting. This
session focuses on the features and uses of SVG.
SMIL; Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language
SMIL is a W3C full recommendation, approved in June 1998, which
encodes the hypermedia presentations distributed over the Web. It
promises to do for interactive multimedia what HTML did for hypertext.
Learn more about SMIL in this informative session.
RDF: Resource Description Framework
Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a foundation for processing
metadata; it provides interoperability between applications that exchange
machine-understandable information on the Web. RDF emphasizes facilities
to enable automated processing of Web resources. This session examines
how RDF enhances processing on the Web, the benefits associated with RDF
and expectations about the future of the framework.
XPointer
XPointer provides ways to directly identify any node, data, or selection
in any XML document by describing its structure and context. An
identified data location is called a "target." The XPointer
specification is particularly meant to enable hyperlinks to identify any
such data, regardless of whether there is (or even could be) an ID on the
target or not. Learn about the XPointer language and how it will work
with XLink to provide a new level of Web functionality.
XLink
With the advent of XML, an improved, more functional approach to linking
is being introduced as the XLink standard. This session explains new Web
linking concepts and provides a status report of the new Web linking
standards.
December 8, 1999
XML Schema and Datatypes
An XML schema is a mechanism somewhat analogous to DTDs for
constraining document structure (order, occurrence of elements, attributes).
In addition, specific goals beyond DTD functionality, such as the
specification of datatypes have been identified within the scope of XML
Schema. This informative session focuses on the emerging XML schema
language and the proposed mechanism for specifying datatypes.
XSLT
XSL (Extensible Style Sheet Language) was posted to W3C as two
separate Working Drafts on April 6. The first part of XSL is now the
specification for XSLT. XSLT is a
language for transforming XML documents into other XML documents. XSLT
was designed to be used independently of XSL. However, XSLT is not
intended as a completely general-purpose XML transformation language.
Learn more about XSLT in this session.
Querying XML
Today, many people want a standard way to query XML. One proposed
solution is a query language designed specifically for XML documents. The
logical model for XML queries is based directly on XML. This session
introduces the issues involved in querying XML, then outlines current
proposals, which provide a language for specifying nodes, paths, and
conditions based on a model of logical completeness for the structure of
XML documents.
DOM: Document Object Model
DOM provides us with a uniform method to interact with XML on an
application level. What is the DOM? What are the levels of the DOM. How
does it guide software developers? What is the status and schedule for
this W3C standard?
Please set aside the first week in December as a week
dedicated to laying the technical foundation for the year 2000! Make your reservations today to
attend XML 99!
Dianne
Kennedy
Editor,
XML Files
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