Training
Introduction to XML/SGML DTD Design
Duration: 3 days
Description: This custom course introduces authors to XML/SGML DTD syntax and explores
presentation- vs. content-oriented DTD
design issues as they relate to DTDs
used within their organization. Topics covered include:
- DTD building blocks: elements & attributes
- Specifying element order
- Specifying element cardinality
- Content types
- Mixed content
- Inclusions and exclusions
- Attribute value types
- DTD shortcuts: parameter entities
- Special character entities
- Notation declarations
- SGML declaration issues
- Differences between SGML and XML
- Advanced concepts: DTD modularization and entity overrides
- Presentation vs. content-oriented DTDs
- Review of your business requirements
- Review of your DTD
- Create a sample DTD
Format: The course consists of lectures/demonstrations by the instructor punctuated by hands-on exercises by the attendees.
Comments: This course uses Open Text's Near & Far Designer© graphical DTD modeling tool. Attendees should have a licenced copy of this software. The tool not only serves to validate DTD syntax but provides a highly effective means for visualizing and prototyping content models.
The approach to this component of the training is to review DTD concepts and constraints in the Near & Far graphical environment and then examine the underlying "raw" syntax in an ASCII editor. This is then followed by a discussion of presentation vs. content-oriented DTD design approaches with examples drawn from industry-standard DTDs. Finally, a review of your organization's business goals will form the basis for reviewing the your corporate DTD.