XML Step by Step [With CDROM]

Superb organization and presentation of the material. All code functions, all examples are relevant. Excellent development of the topics. Were all texts to be this will organized.

I am just learning XML for the first time and this book walks me through it the way I need to be walked through it.

I bought this book just cause I wanted to know what XML was all about. I had been avoiding the step by step books from microsoft because since VB 6 step by step many moons ago...everyother one I had read was confusing and lacking. XML Step by Step however is very well laid out and has renewed my confidence in the series. He does jump around a little more than Id like him too and as pointed out by a previous reviewer...He does have too many flow stopping notes added in. Still, I am learning from the book at an acceptable pace and thats a successful publication so far as I am concerened. I also noted someone else saying the book was boring. XML is boring...I dont think its fair to shoot the messenger. Foundations are important, this book offers just that. An interesting bonus to this book is that it manages to incorperate an excellent CSS section that is better than most of the books ive read that are dedicated to CSS alone. For that I offer an extra credit star. Mad props to Mr. Young.

If you're looking for an introduction to XML, this book is the right place to start. This book is my fourth attempt at learning the XML basics, and it's just right. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.The most striking thing about it is how well-organized it is. Finally, here is a book with virtually no typos, a CD of sample programs where all the programs work(!!!), and a completely clear labeling of which file on the CD is being used for each sample listing in the book. The writing is very clear, and all the examples are explained very well. And the book is only 362 pages, so you never have the feeling that it will take forever to go through it all.The content is also very well organized, where each chapter builds on the preceding chapters, and the author does not discuss anything if the context has not already been established. The XML basics are all presented, including entities, DTDs, Data Binding, the DOM, and XSL. (And maybe a little more - the example in Chapter 9 of using the DOM to access XML entities in a DTD starts to get more advanced.)To make full use of this book, you need to know some HTML. Knowing some JavaScript is also helpful, but not absolutely required. On the other hand, by the time you're ready to tackle XML, you should already know the HTML basics. The book does not go into more advanced topics like SAX or SOAP, but that is OK since this is a beginner's book. Reading this book (and playing with the sample code) should give you the appropriate background for a more advanced book.A warning: this is a Microsoft Press book, and all the samples are displayed in the Internet Explorer 5.x browser. If you are allergic to IE, then you should find another book, but you would be missing out on a lot.

Author understands the subject very well and can clearly explain it for you. It is a pleasure to work with books like this, you can see whole picture and you are not getting lost in details. Examples are simple but representative, it is easy to expand them and adjust for real needs. I had 3 other XML books, but this is the first I read from cover to cover. Excellent book, clear and concise.