This course explores techniques and technologies for transforming XML documents using XSL-T and XSL-FO. The emphasis is on transformation of XML data into human-readable documents, such as HTML pages and PDF files. Topics covered include XSL-T syntax and processing, XPath, and XPointer. Students implement projects to present XML data using a variety of transformation tools and technologies.
| Student Builds or Brings | Student Does | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Marked up data & Schema: "eXtensible Test Markup Language" | Group Midterm Project: Merge the data of the group members | 30 |
| One or more personal interest area XML data file(s) [consisting of either 5000 words or 50 data files or some equivalent combination] accompanied by DTD &/or Schema file(s) | Individual Final Project: A student-proposed major transformation project | 30 |
| Energy, interest, and critical thinking about structured markup and data | Reads materials, asks questions in class, completes in-class exercises | 10 |
Some possibilities for Individual Final Projects:
|
Presentations | 30 |
A final letter grade will be assigned from points that you have accumulated. (e.g. A = 90-100%, B = 80-90%, etc.) I do not grade on a curve; if every student does "A" work, every student gets an A. (Or a D, as the case may be...)
It is important to understand that if you complete all the requirements for an assignment, that is only sufficient for a grade of "C" (i.e. "satisfactory work"). To receive an A for an assignment, you must go beyond the basic requirements, and show some creativity, initiative, and excellence--the grade of A is intended for work that is superior, rather than average.
Assignments submitted after the due date/time, without prior approval from me, will lose 50% for each day that they are late. If you know that a situation will prevent you from turning something in, contact me in advance of the deadline to make alternate arrangements.
If you wish to dispute your final course grade, you must do so before the end of the quarter following this one; after that, documentation of your work may be discarded.
Details will go here. The basic idea goes something like this:
Each student entering this class created an eXtensible Test Markup Language in the prerequisite class. We will break up into arbitrary groups. Each group will find a way to merge all the marked up data from all the members of that group into one data system for manipulation & output.
Details will go here. The basic idea goes something like this:
Each student will create one or more XML data file(s) for an area of personal interest to them. This will consist of either 5000 marked-up words in one XML data file, or 50 marked-up XML data files, or some equivalent combination. This will be accompanied by DTD &/or Schema file(s). The file(s) will provide marked up data, data structure, and data constraints about an interest area in which the student can think of themselves as something of a domain expert. Each individual student will complete a (details TBA with instructor) final XML transformations project utilizing these XML data and DTD/Schema files.
Each week we will cover at least one topic area, looking at common problems can be solved using XSL-T. Each class meeting will include a presentation about a particular topic area, as well as in-class exercise(s) illustrating the issues for that week. Readings will be assigned on a regular basis. Follow the links in the list below to access the week-by-week materials as they are posted.
