Chapter 12: XML Document Object Model (DOM)

Overview

XML was introduced to alleviate interoperability problems across platforms and networks. A standard language, combined with a DTD (or another schema construct), provides a way of exchanging data. Not only does data need to be in a standard format, but the way data is accessed should also be standardized. XML provides the constructs for putting data into a standard format, and as you will soon see, the Document Object Model provides a standard way of accessing data. A Web developer, who provides some script inside a Web page that makes use of an XML document, shouldn't have to recode the script to work in every browser. This chapter takes you through a tour of the XML DOM features, including its object model, various classes, and their usage. Specifically you will see:

• q The need for XML DOM processing on the client side

• q The different classes contained in the XML DOM

• q How to work with the various classes of XML DOM

• q How to create, read, and modify nodes in an XML document

• q How to validate an XML document against an XSD schema using XML DOM

• q How to transform an XML document into HTML using XML DOM