Incorporating the XML technology advances and its application, this second edition serves as a guide for managers as well as a starting point for developers. It helps managers build a working knowledge of XML's capabilities so they can communicate intelligently with XML developers and make informed decisions about when to use the technology.

When it comes to getting information on new technologies, managers often find themselves disadvantaged. Technical information flows to developers first, and executives have access to high-level analysis. While managers need to assess the benefits of a technology, they often have nowhere to turn. Developers are pushing technology from below them, and executives are pushing technology from above. In this thoroughly updated second edition, Kevin Dick expands upon his successful treatment of the Extensible Markup Language (XML), and helps the manager in a technology organization understand why XML is such a vital technology for exchanging structured information over intranets, extranets, and the Internet.

The Internet Crisis: Exchanging Information.

Connections Without Understanding.

Convergence of Information Exchange Problems.

Metadata Standard is a First Step.

Shared Context Standards Deliver True Understanding.

The XML Approach.

XML Basics.

Executive Summary.

Jumping in.

XML Conceptual Model.

Introducing Elements.

Introducing Attributes.

Creating an "Order" in XML.

Introducing Document Types.

Introducing Entities.

Technical Summary.

Related Standards.

Executive Summary.

Overview of Namespaces.

Overview of XPath, XPointer, and XQuery.

Overview of XSLT.

Overview of XSL.

Overview of XLink.

Overview of XML Schema.

Technical Standards.

Infrastructure Standards.

Technical Summary.

XML Messaging and Web Services.

Executive Summary.

Motivation.

Protocol Design Problem.

Messaging Architectures.

Major Web Services Initiatives.

Other Web Services Initiatives.

XML Software Infrastructure.

Executive Summary.

Fundamental Components.

Storage Systems.

Server Infrastructure.

Data-Oriented Components.

Content-Oriented Components.

Design Tools.

Infrastrcuture Selection Strategy.

Processes and People.

Executive Summary.

XML Applications Introduce Change.

Content Documents.

Business Documents.

Data Documents.

Common Issues.

Five XML Applications for Enterprises.

Executive Summary.

Workforce Automation.

Knowledge Management.

Trading Partner Coordination.

Application Integration.

Data Integration.

Five XML Applications for Vendors.

Executive Summary.

Flexible Content Provisioning.

Information Aggregation.

Application Services.

Configuration and Logging Files.

Distributed Protocol.

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