After reading XML for Dummies, I noticed on amazon.com the book got 2 stars out of 5. Some people called the book worthless and downright wrong, but a few in the minority liked it. While I feel the book did not totally meet my expectations, I don't think the book was totally worthless.
The book did an adequate job of introducing XML concepts. Plus, as a reference on tag formats, it should prove helpful. What I found lacking, however, was the right information to give me the overall grasp on the subject that I wanted to get. After reading the book, I took two online classes on the subject. The classes gave me the right level of conceptual background as well as enough examples of XML, which the book in general did not provide.
Normally, I like the Dummies format, style, and approach, which this book uses. In XML for Dummies it is the content, not the style, that I found lacking.
The sections of the book include the following, in addition to a glossary and index:
- XML Basics
- XML and the Web
- Building In Validation with DTDs and Schemas
- Transforming and Processing XML
- XML Application Development
- The Part of Tens
Book information: XML for Dummies Authors: Lucinda Dykes and Ed Tittel. 2005. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc. [ISBN: 0764588451] 366 pages, including index. $24.99 USD
