Course Title: Build a document using extensible markup language

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2008

Course Code: COSC5291C

Course Title: Build a document using extensible markup language

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6068 - Advanced Diploma of Computer Science

Course Contact: Christina Norwood

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4931

Course Contact Email: christina.norwood@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Co-requisites
COSC 5290C Design dynamic websites to meet technical requirements
COSC 5292C Create dynamic web pages
COSC 5293C Develop website information architecture

Course Description

XML is an important format for data storage and transmission. The structure of XML documents is described, and the use of DTDs and XSL documents for the definition and validation of XML-based languages. Some important applications of XML, such as XHTML and web services, are also explored.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICAITB161A Build a document using extensible markup language

Element:

Confirm validity

Performance Criteria:

♦ The XML markup language declaration statement is inserted in document.
♦ Create start and end tags to create elements.
♦ All tags closed.
♦ Attributes are quoted and assigned to elements according to information requirements.
♦ All elements cleanly nested.
♦ Proper syntax and well-formedness of elements confirmed.

Element:

Define document structure

Performance Criteria:

♦ An external or internal Document Type Definitioin is chosen depending on project requirements.
♦ All elements, declared, empty, with data and child sequences are declared.
♦ Wrapping includes the correct syntax.
♦ Occurrences of elements are declared.
♦ Elements of mixed content declared.
♦ Attribute types and default values are declared.
♦ Internal and external entities are declared.
♦ The DTD is validated with an XML parser to ensure no errors.

Element:

Determine documentation standards

Performance Criteria:

♦ Documentation standards are developed according to business needs and if necessary are compliant with relevant XML registry specifications.
♦ Documentation standards are compliant with the relevant Collaboration Protocol Profile Definition.
♦ Documentation standards support Collaboration Protocol Agreement documents.

Element:

Employ XML language object model

Performance Criteria:

♦ Elements are described as objects.
♦ The object roles and relationships are defined.
♦ Reference the document object through its ID value.
♦ Through the document object processes and methods access the relevant child node objects.
♦ Manipulate objects within the document according to requirements.
♦ Combine and/or reuse objects and instances in the document.
♦ Persist XML DOM tree information.

Element:

Finalise and test document

Performance Criteria:

♦ General entities are defined for the document in DOCTYPE definition.
♦ Character data sections are added to the document structure.
♦ Comments are added and clearly detailed.
♦ Final document is viewed with an XML parser.
♦ Information can be in-putted into the document.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students will engage in classroom activities consisting of short lectures interspersed with practical activities, over a four week period. A variety of XML applications will be demonstrated. A practical project involving the development of a web service according to a WSDL specification will allow students to implement their knowledge in a practical context.  The timeline for this project will extend from week 5 - 8.


Teaching Schedule

Timeline
Week Topic Assessment
1 Introduction to XML and DTDs  
2 XML Schema Language  
3 Styling with CSS and XSLT Assignment 1 (written)
4 SOAP  and WSDL  
5   Exam
6    
7    
8   Assignment 2 (practical)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Castro, E., XML for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide, Peachpit Press 2001

0201710986


Other Resources

Class notes.

W3C website for specifications and related material.


Overview of Assessment

The student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements to be deemed competent.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including extended assignment, skills tests, and a written theory exam.


Assessment Tasks

Assignment 1 (10%). This is an in-class problem assignment requiring the student to interpret and create XML documents to specification. Interpreting and writing a DTD and XML Schema will also be assessed in this task.

Assignment 2 (40%). This is a practical project completed largely outside class, requiring a student to implement a web service in PHP for an Apache web server. The task involves designing a WSDL document relevant to the web service, and this is the aspect of the project that will be assessed for this course.

Exam (50%). Multiple choice and short answer questions relating to all aspects of the course.

You must pass the exam (50%) to pass the course, and achieve at least a 50% mark overall.


Assessment Matrix

Element Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Exam
Confirm validity Y Y Y
Define document structure Y Y Y
Determine documentation standards Y Y Y
Employ XML language object model Y Y Y
Finalise and test document Y Y Y

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