Course pre-requisites :

• HTML and Internet experience

• A programming language: (i.e. an understanding of inheritance and OO concepts such as the ability to use objects in a program(COM/ActiveX) and create classes )

VB or VBScript (the preferred programming language)

.Net

JAVA

C

• Analyzing ,designing and processing of data for either programming or database design.

• IE5.5 or higher

• Other useful knowledge:

HTML

Javascript or VB script

Database theory (normalization rules)

SGML(any)

Course caveat : The XML standard is a group of emerging technologies some of which are still being developed and therefore these parts can be in a state of flux. What is valid today may not be valid tomorrow. Some of the tools that we will use are beta versions of products that could behave unpredictably or not at all in certain circumstances. An open mind and a willingness to work in an environment that is evolving will help you get through the course.

Goals of the Course : to understand and create well-formed and valid XML documents and to process/create these documents. Additionally we will explore new XML technologies such as XHTML,XSD(Schema), and SOAP/Web Services. To reach these goals we will be using beta versions of software and various software tools available for download from the Internet as well as IE5, Visual Basic, VBScript and .Net .

Course Textbook : XML in a NutShell 2nd Edition by Elliotte Rusty Harold & W. Scott Means, O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. ISBN: 0-596-00292-0

Grading : A final grade will be determined based on the following criteria:

• 15% - Course participation - includes attendance

• 10% - Grade from Assignment 1

• 10% - Grade from Assignment 2

• 15% - Grade from Assignment 3

• 15% - Grade from Assignment 4

• 20% - Grade from Assignment 5

• 15% - Grade from Final Exam

• I may, at my discretion and depending upon the progress of the class, assign another homework assignment whose grade may be used for extra credit . NOTE: Extra credit assignments will affect the grade given for participation.

Assignments : There are several assignments that will be given throughout the course that will comprise the majority portion of the student's grade:

• These assignments will be in the form of coding XML, coding DTD's, programming with the DOM, programming with SAX, and transformation of an XML file to be displayed within a browser.

• To produce the assignments, students will use specific software tools as provided by the instructor and available in the lab, or, downloaded from the Internet. Acceptable programming languages(in order of preference) are: Visual Basic,VBScript or Javascript in DHTML, .Net .

• Assignments will be handed in on a floppy 3.5 inch diskette with the student's name on the diskette. The students should have at least 2 diskettes available for assignments - to account for an assignment not being returned in time for the next assignment to be received. The diskette should be formatted, VIRUS FREE and have a directory with the name of the assignment being submitted (i.e. \Assignment1). Within this directory should be the contents of the assignment ready to be graded. The instructor will create a subdirectory underneath the assignment directory that will contain the grade and any comments. If there is any information that the student wishes to impart to the instructor concerning the assignment, they should be placed within a text or MS Word file with the filename of Readme (ex. Readme.txt or Readme.doc).

• IMPORTANT: Your grade will be reduced by one grade point (Ex: an A+ becomes a B+, A becomes a B, etc.) is any of the following occur: 1) If a virus is detected on your diskette. So, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you download the latest virus definitions and scan your diskette PRIOR to submitting it for grading. 2) If your diskette is un-readable. So, it is strongly recommended that you use a new diskette for your assignments and test reading it on another PC before submission. 3) Your assignment is handed in late without prior approval from the instructor.

• Assignments are expected to be handed in within ONE week of being issued. NO EXCEPTIONS unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. BTW - prior approval IS NOT granted the night that the assignment is due - in other words, be courteous and if you will be delayed due to a work or family event, let the instructor know ahead of time.