| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
 Posted - 17 April 2004 : 16:21:20
|
After having had my reservations about XML, I've read about it a little, and have only come up with more and more questions. The most important ones are; what good would it do me, and what can I use it for.
So, I've decided it's time to dive into it and get "educated" about XML. The big problem is that I can't find any site that has information in a "for dummies" style. It's all about how it works, how the files have to be made, but no easy to understand information about the ways to use it.
Does anyone here know of a site (please don't say w3schools.com... I've been there lol) that has that kind of info? |
|
|
snaayk
Senior Member
USA
1061 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 16:40:05
|
| As far as I have seen, in my own search for a use, it seems to be best used for sharing information. In other words, I'll give you an xml document and it'll be easy for you to work with, opposed to everyone having different formats. You can also use it to save data in your own site or app. Instead of using a database. |
 |
|
|
ajhvdb
Junior Member
Netherlands
392 Posts |
|
|
Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 19:49:20
|
I don't use Office XP, so that info won't really help me :(
So far, all I've managed to understand is that it's a way of storing data without making it dependant on OS or program, while maintaining the ability to save it as specific files. |
|
|
|
Gremlin
General Help Moderator
New Zealand
7528 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 20:03:17
|
quote:
Originally posted by Roland
So far, all I've managed to understand is that it's a way of storing data without making it dependant on OS or program, while maintaining the ability to save it as specific files.
Thats pretty much it in a nutshell for XML. Where XML gets interesting is in the "add-ons" like XSLT templates allowing you to transform an XML file of data into a dynamic webpage.
How's things anyway Roland? |
Kiwihosting.Net - The Forum Hosting Specialists
|
Edited by - Gremlin on 17 April 2004 20:03:43 |
|
|
|
DavidRhodes
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1222 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 20:07:24
|
| Don't forget SOAP/Web Services, XML plays a major part there |
The UK MkIVs Forum |
|
|
|
Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 20:18:59
|
Things're okay... I'm getting ready for another round of prodding and xrays, then I'm probably going to start taking lessons for my motorcycle license in a few weeks. Weekends seem to last shorter and shorter lately, my wallet has a huge hole in it (money just keeps disappearing out of it  ), and I'm going to quit smoking soon. Oh yeah, on the bright side; in about 7 weeks I should get myself another niece or nephew. The first one's just learned how to swear (thanks to my brother teaching him to say "F*** you" when he flips him the bird) and now there's a second trouble maker coming... Needless to say we're all excited 
For a little on-topic content; I guess XML just isn't what I'm looking for then. I need to find a way to easily create and store invoices and hoped XML might just be what I'm looking for. |
|
|
|
Gremlin
General Help Moderator
New Zealand
7528 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 22:27:47
|
| You probably could use XML for the Roland, but I suspect just using a simple database is probably going to be just as easy for you. Sounds like things are pretty hectic for you! |
Kiwihosting.Net - The Forum Hosting Specialists
|
|
|
|
Doug G
Support Moderator
USA
6493 Posts |
Posted - 17 April 2004 : 23:31:15
|
Take a look at the new asp-dev forums, they are xml-driven.
The definitive reference on xml is found at www.w3c.org
|
======
Doug G
======
Computer history and help at www.dougscode.com |
|
|
|
Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 19 April 2004 : 02:30:08
|
| I'll look into things a bit more, but I don't think XML is what I'm looking for. Seems like it's nice, but useless in most cases. |
|
|
|
chumbawumba
Junior Member
United Kingdom
304 Posts |
Posted - 19 April 2004 : 04:56:10
|
| instead of referring to internet sites, try getting books from your library. you can't beat a book. |
Can't stop, lose job, mind gone, silicon. |
|
|
|
miperez
Junior Member
Spain
243 Posts |
Posted - 19 April 2004 : 06:53:31
|
Hi, Roland an all.
There is one thing I was planning to use XML for. I have to build a complex form, where:
- First, the user will select his OS in a dropdown.
- Depending on that value, the list of available products for that OS will be shown in a second dropdown.
- Depending on the selected value, a specific page will be load in an IFRAME or similar.
If I did it with ASP, I would have to make a request to the server every time the user selects an option, and reload the page. I had though of sending an XML file to the browser, with the whole "OS - Product - URL with information" structure to the browser, and afterwards use Javascript to refresh the page contents depending on the selection, so that only one request for the page is made to the server... I am no way an expert on XML or Javascript though, so I don't know if I'll be able to do it 
BTW, I think that Microsoft uses a complex XML in the WindowsUpdate service; it sends an XML file with a list of all the patches, hotfixes, drivers,... and their correspondant DLL version to your computer, and the ActiveX checks if they are the same as you have installed, in order to show the updates you need without sending information about your system to the Internet. |
Best Regards
Mikel Perez
"Hell is the place where everything test perfectly, and nothing works"
|
|
|
|
Roland
Advanced Member
Netherlands
9335 Posts |
Posted - 20 April 2004 : 04:34:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by chumbawumba
instead of referring to internet sites, try getting books from your library. you can't beat a book.
A what? A library? Oh, I remember those from back in high school when we had to read boring books that weren't worth buying.
Seriously though, I haven't been to the library since I graduated, and don't have a card. Maybe my brother has one, but in any case I'm not planning on paying to rent a book... I'd rather find good info online and print it :P |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
