Chapter 2: XML Editors

Overview

Although it is certainly possible to work with XML using only a text editor (such as emacs, vi, or even Windows Notepad), having a tool specifically designed or expanded for working with XML can make your life much easier. Beyond creating XML files, these tools add validation, schema creation, mapping, and even advanced features such as XSLT debugging to the mix; making you more productive and more successful when working with XML. In short, you want a dedicated XML editor to make working with XML easier.

This chapter will survey some of the more popular tools available for working with XML, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The XML editors described in this chapter include:

• q Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003

• q Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

• q Altova XMLSpy

• q Oxygen

• q Stylus