This course builds skills in Java’s XML processing APIs – chiefly parsing using SAX and DOM and transformations using XSLT, all using the Java API for XML Processing, or JAXP. It also covers the newer Java API for XML Binding, or JAXB, which standardizes serialization according to XML Schema. Everything in the course adheres to W3C and Java standards for completely portable code.

The first module introduces the JAXP and the two main Java APIs for parsing XML documents: SAX and the DOM. Students learn the basic JAXP architecture and how to create parsers that expose SAX or DOM APIs, and how to configure parsers according to the SAX features and properties specification. SAX parsing is covered, working from simple SAX event handling through patterns for understanding document content from event sequences, to error handling and document validation. Students then learn how to read document information using the DOM’s tree model and API, and move on to using the DOM to modify and to create new documents and information nodes. The final two chapters of this module cover the DOM2 Traversal and Events modules and the JAXB, with a focus on XML serialization and persistence.

The second module introduces students to the XPath and XSLT specifications, and how to use JAXP as an interface to XML transformations. Students learn the basic JAXP Transformer architecture, develop fluency in the exacting but powerful XPath syntax, and then build a number of XSLT transformations. Study of XSLT is arranged first to develop control over output production, including a solid understanding of the sometimes mysterious built-in template rules, template matching, priority and modes, and control of whitespace production. Then students turn towards the source document and learn to extract single values, to make shallow and deep copies of source elements, to use variables, and to use flow-control constructs to effect conditional processing and loops. In the module’s final case study, students build a servlet-based Web application that uses JAXP and XSLT to produce dynamic content based on an XML data source.

• Experience in Java Programming, including object-oriented Java and the Java streams model, is essential.
• Basic understanding of XML is required. Object Innovations Course 501, “Introduction to XML,” is recommended.
• XML Schema is used peripherally in the course, and knowledge of this technology will be helpful, but is not required.

During class, students will:

• Understand the use of SAX and DOM APIs for XML parsing.
• Understand the need for JAXP as an additional layer to the standard contract between applications and parsers.
• Use JAXP to write entirely portable XML parsing code.
• Parse element and attribute content, processing instructions, and other document information using SAX.
• Parse documents using the DOM.
• Modify, create and delete information in an XML document using the DOM.
• Use DOM Traversal to simplify and make parsing algorithms more effective.
• Use DOM Mutation Events to track changes to an XML document.
• Use the JAXB to generate persistent Java object models based on XML Schema.
• Implement XML persistence using the JAXB.
• Write simple and complex queries into XML document content using XPath.
• Use XSLT for XML-to-XML transformations.
• Use the built-in template rules correctly to process the right source information.
• Use mode and priority to control template matching.
• Control exact production of text, HTML and XML elements, and whitespace.
• Derive source document content and make copies of node trees.
• Use looping and conditional processing to manage output production.
• Build J2SE and Web applications that leverage XSLT transformation logic.

Module 1 – XML Parsing Using Java

1. The Java API for XML Processing (JAXP)

Parsing XML
SAX and DOM
What the W3C Says
What the W3C Doesn't Say
Sun and Apache
JAXP
Parser Factories
Pluggable Parsers
Parser Features and Properties

2. The Simple API for XML (SAX)

Origins of SAX
The SAX Parser
The SAX Event Model
Reading Document Content
Handling Namespaces
SAX Features for Namespaces
Parsing Attributes
Error Handling
DTD Validation
Schema Validation
Handling Processing Instructions

3. The Document Object Model (DOM)

Origins of the DOM
DOM Levels
DOM2 Structure
The Document Builder
DOM Tree Model
DOM Interfaces
Document, Node and NodeList Interfaces
Element and Text Interfaces
Finding Elements By Name
Walking the Child List
The Attribute Interface
Traversing Associations
The JAXP Transformer Class
Sources and Results
Combining SAX and DOM Processing
Namespaces and the DOM

4. Manipulating XML Information with the DOM

Modifying Documents
Modifying Elements
Modifying Attributes
Managing Children
Seeking a Document Location
The ProcessingInstruction Interface
Creating New Documents

5. DOM Level 2 Modules

DOM Traversal
The DocumentTraversal Interface
Node Filters
The NodeIterator Interface
The TreeWalker Interface
DOM Ranges
DOM Events
Mutation Events
Handling Events
Event Flow
Capturing and Bubbling
Cancelable Events

6. XML Serialization and the Java API for XML Binding (JAXB)

XML for Object Persistence
Persistence Strategies
The Memento Pattern
Deserialization with SAX
Object Persistence with the DOM
Adapting Object Models to the DOM
The Java API for XML Binding
Marshalling, Unmarshalling, and Validation
Schema as Object Models
UML for XML
Mapping XML to Java: Simple Types, Complex Types, and Collections
Object Factories
Customizing JAXB Bindings
The DOM vs. JAXB
JAXB for Persistence
Automatic Translation

Module 2 – XML Transformations Using Java

1. Using the JAXP for Transformations

XPath, XSLT and Java
The Transformer Class
The TransformerFactory Class
Sources and Results
Identity Transformations
Creating Transformations from Stylesheets
Template Parameters
Output Methods and Properties

2. XPath

Use of XPath in Other XML Technologies
XPath Expressions
The Axis
The Node Test
The Predicate
XPath Types
XPath Functions
Implied Context
Querying with XPath
XPath and the DOM

3. Templates and Production

Rule-Based Transformations
Templates and Template Matching
Built-In Template Rules
Recursion Through Templates
Template Context
Output Methods
Controlling Whitespace
Literal Replacement Elements
Formalizing Text, Elements and Attributes
Defining Target Vocabulary
Generating Processing Instructions

4. XSLT: Dynamic Content and Flow Control

Web Applications Using XSLT
J2EE and JAXP
Deriving Source Content
Getting Source Values
Attribute Value Templates
Copying Source Elements and Trees
Looping
Conditionals