[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message]

Re: Re: Training

• To: <jamoussou@x...>
• Subject: Re: Re: Training
• From: "Andrzej Jan Taramina" <andrzej@c...>
• Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 21:27:14 -0500
• Cc: xml-dev@l...
• In-reply-to: <200203221801.AA2687256@x...>
• Organization: Chaeron Consulting Corporation
• Priority: normal
• Reply-to: andrzej@c...

> There are a lot of XML books today, but the fact is that few are really
> good and useful. Some of them contain a lot of technical errors and lack
> basic editing or proof reading.

There are some gems that come to mind (David Brownell's book on SAX is 
one)....and coupled with the online resources, specs, tools and such, that is 
usually more than sufficient to get a good grownding if you have a few 
functioning grey cells and spend the time really looking into the technology.

> Even if you find a good XML book, mastering XML and all "Related
> Technologies" can be overwhelming.

I'm not sure I agree with that.  If you try to absorb everything in one fell swoop, 
then maybe so, but that is not a good way to learn.  Best to master the basics 
first (core XML, parsing, DOM, SAX and that's about all)...then start to build on 
that foundation as interest and need dictate.

> For example, in a Web Services project, you might find yourself using all
> of the following technologies: XML1.0, Namespaces, DOM, SAX, XML Schemas,
> XPath, XSLT, XPointer, XInclude, XBase, SOAP, WSDL, XML
> Signature/Encryption, and UDDI. New specs are on their way to
> Recommendation.

Any beginner that tries to do this, under project deadline pressures, is likely to 
produce an abysmal mess of an application.  Not recommended.  Any 
company/manager that expects their people to absorb all that in a short period 
(and many unfortunately do given the hype that surrounds Web Services), and 
still produce a quality product is in for a rude awakening.

> The reality of enterprise projects is that people need to get up to speed
> on XML as quickly as possible. 

I would suggest that enterprise projects need to build the "true" learning curve 
into their planning.

> An XML Instructor who also has hands-on
> project experience can help you navigate through the essentials of each of
> these specs. 

Most instructors are not good developers nor do they have current project 
experience.  Least not in my decades of experience.

> I also think that W3C working groups should create not only primers and
> use cases, but also quick references as part of their deliverables. The
> quick references will be very helpful in adopting and implementing the
> specs.

I agree with you on that.
Andrzej Jan Taramina
Chaeron Corporation: Enterprise System Solutions
http://www.chaeron.com

• References:
  • Re: Training
    • From: "Joel Amoussou" <jamoussou@x...>

• Prev by Date: RE: Re: Training
• Next by Date: Interactive Interfacing to the WEB - interactive learning sites.
• Previous by thread: Re: Training
• Next by thread: Identiy Transform Question
• Index(es):
  • Date
  • Thread