XML Document Object Model

Overview

This course introduces the XML Document Object Model's level 1.0 specification and the Microsoft implementation of it. The DOM specification is maintained by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) so this course will present the core DOM as they've defined it. Microsoft, a leader in implementing the DOM in the real world, has provided numerous extensions to the core DOM, and this course will present those as well. It assumes knowledge of the basics of the emerging XML family of technologies, although a brief review is included. Students will learn the basic objects, properties, and methods of the DOM, the role the DOM plays in XML application programming, how to use the DOM in basic XML programming examples, and where the DOM seems to be headed in future versions. Example client-side code will be used for the most part, although some server-side examples using ASP and ADO will also be presented (Lesson 6). Code examples are given in VBScript, but some examples are also provided JavaScript.

Prerequisites

This course will review the emerging world of XML technologies. However, some familiarity with basic XML concepts would be helpful. Therefore, you should take the following courses, or have equivalent knowledge, before taking this course HTML 4 Web Authoring, Level 1 HTML 4 Web Authoring, Level 2 Introduction to Programming Introduction to XML XML DTD XML Schemas

Benefits

Students will learn the basics of the XML DOM (Document Object Model). The base objects, high-level objects, and Microsoft parser objects will all be covered. In each case, the properties, methods, collections, and events of each object will be presented and discussed. Because Microsoft's implementation of the XML DOM provides numerous valuable extensions, these will also be presented. Hands-on tasks with some of these objects and their members will demonstrate how to program with the XML DOM.

Target Student

This course is for anyone already introduced to the basics of XML and its related technologies, and who is interested in XML programming. Such a student should also have experience as a Web developer, using both client-side and server-side scripting, and an understanding of basic programming concepts.

What's Next

This course is a part of a series of courses that provide the foundation of XML technologies. After having learned about DTDs and Schemas, XSL/XSLT, XML DOM, and XLink/XPointer/XPath, students will be well-poised to start integrating XML support into their Web applications using ASP, ADO, Java, various database management systems, ColdFusion, JSP, and so on.