Library Web Site Applications

Using XML

Karen A. Coombs, SUNY Cortland

View this presentation at:
http://www.librarywebchic.net/presentations/internetlibrarian2004

---

Agenda

• Introduction to XML
• Why use XML On My Library's Web Site
• Using XML Your Library has Created
• Using Static XML from an External Source
• Using Dynamic XML from an External Source
• Integrating XML and Database-driven web pages
• Lessons Learned
• Further Resources

---

Introduction to XML

• What is XML
  • `metalanguage' —a language for describing other languages
  • lets you design your own customized markup languages for limitless different types of documents
  • used to store any kind of structured information
  • used to enclose or encapsulate information in order to pass it between different computing systems
• What do I need to start using XML on my library website
  • XML file
  • XSL file to transform XML (typically into HTML)
  • XML parser
    • MSXML
    • Cocoon
    • Sablotron
  • Server-side scripting language
    • PHP
    • Perl
    • ASP

---

Why Use XML on Your Library's Web Site

• You want to display content on your web site that you cannot access via database-driven web pages
• You want to display content on your web site that is dynamic and updated by another institution
  • RSS
  • XML Servers
• You want to share your content with other people or let them incorporate into their site
  • Weblog and RSS feed

---

Using XML Your Library has Created

• Creating an XML file
  • by hand
  • use a program
    • Save As XML
  • build a web application to create XML file
• Displaying the XML you created
  • create an XSL file to display the contents of the XML file
  • Use server-side scripting to send XML and XSL files to XML parser
• An XML-based Blogging Tool
  • Uses ASP and the DOM to create and update XML
    • creates both an XML archive and an RSS feed
  • RSS file is displayed several places on the library web page
    • What's New
    • Home page
  • Demo

---

Using Static XML from an External Source

• Reports from other source
  • come in a variety of formats
    • CSV
    • Excel
  • has to be imported into a database to be used with database-driven web pages
• Using an XML report to drive the pages can simplify the process
  • it doesn't have to be imported in a database
  • Save XML file on server
  • Create an XSL file to transform the XML file into a format for display
  • Use a server-side scripting language to send the XML and XSL file to the XML parser
• XML-based list of Periodical Holdings
  • XML from Serial Solutions
  • several stylesheets for searching and displaying XML
  • ASP to combine XML with desired XSL file
  • Demo

---

Using Dynamic XML from an External Source

• XML is available from many different sources on the web
  • RSS
  • XML servers
• Create an XSL to transform the XML file
• Retrieve XML from the remote server
• Send XML from remote server and XSL file to XML parser
• RSS feed of items checked out to a user
  • Components of code
    • ASP
    • XML
    • XSL
  • What happens
    • Authenticate User
    • Retrieve XML of checked out items from our web catalog
    • Formats XML as valid RSS 2.0 using XSL
  • Demo

---

Integrating XML and Database-driven web pages

• Course and Research Guides
  • Content Management System
  • Part of the Library Intranet
  • How it works
    • Retrieve information via XML from and external source
    • Display information as part of web based form
    • Add information to database via database-driven form
    • Demo

---

Lessons Learned

• Decide where you are going to get your XML from
  • Create your own
  • Static External Source - export from a database
  • Dynamic External Source - XML Server
• Decide what platform you want to create your pages in
  • ASP
  • PHP
  • Perl
• Not all parsers are created equal
  • MSXML parser is very particular about the XML files it receives
• Start with a small project
  • XML projects involving just simple display are a good place to start
• Control your own XML when possible
  • vendors still make mistakes in creating valid XML

---

Further Resources

ALEPH Architecture Document from ExLibris Web Site - http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/aleph_architecture.htm Accessed 11/10/2004

Baartse, Mark. Professional ASP XML. Birmingham, UK: Wrox Press, 2000.

Extensible Markup Language (XML) - http://www.w3.org/XML/ Accessed: 10/30/2003

Feed Validator: RSS 2.0 Specification - http://feedvalidator.org/docs/rss2.html Accessed 11/10/2004

Kay, Michael. XSLT Programmer’s Reference. 2nd ed. Birmingham, UK: Wrox Press, 2001.

Martin, Didier et al. Professional XML. 2nd ed. Birmingham, UK: Wrox Press, 2001.

MSXML - http://www.perfectxml.com/msxml.asp Accessed: 10/30/2003

The Extensible Stylesheet Language Family (XSL)- http://www.w3.org/Style/XSL/ Accessed: 10/30/2003

XML DOM Tutorial - http://www.w3schools.com/dom/default.asp Accessed: 11/10/2004

---