The next six hours of course time are devoted to Module 4, "Using XML with Agents and Servlets." Module 4 is definitely the "hard-core" section of the course and the part that requires the most familiarity with Java. The final module, "XML in Domino Applications," covers importing and exporting XML data in the Notes and Domino environment. The included appendix offers helpful information, including a great set of links to XML-related Web sites.

The course outline is as follows:

• Preface;
• Module 1: Introduction to XML;
• Module 2: Using XML with Forms and Pages;
• Module 3: Using XML with Views;
• Module 4: Using XML with Agents and Servlets;
• Module 5: XML in Domino Applications;
• Appendix A: XML Reference and Tools;
• Appendix B: Course evaluation and Certificate of Achievement.

Within each of the above-listed modules are several subsections, each addressing a single topic, and in some cases encapsulating demonstrations. The subsections are packed full of textual and graphical information, appealing to both visual and abstract learners, as seen in Figure C.

FIGURE C


Screenshots are wonderful. Roll over picture for a larger image.

In addition to the main database (which contains the actual lesson modules) and an installation database, three other databases are included in the course, as you can see in Figure D.

FIGURE D


It's worth visiting all the databases if for no other reason than to learn about the golf catalog. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Although it was perhaps not the intent of the course design, I found poking around in the three "satellite" databases to be fulfilling in its own right and would encourage you to check them out too.

My favorite ingredients in the TLCC soup
Using XML in Domino R5 imparts both broad and focused technical information. Most of the sections begin with text describing the general use and meaning of the XML technology being addressed (e.g., DTD, XML parsers, etc.), followed by a discussion of how Notes and Domino implements that bit of XML technology. This technique of "focusing down" to Notes and Domino-specific usage emphasizes the platform-independent nature of XML in a refreshingly broad-minded manner.

The course material has a very "event-driven" style. The modules are presented in views, and under each view entry there's a single, independent document on a narrowly defined subject that encapsulates both text and demos, as shown in Figure E.

FIGURE E


TLCC offers "view-centric" presentation of course material. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The "flat" or "one-layer" presentation of the material in these documents gives you the feeling that the information is waiting for you to interact with it, as well as being easy to browse, review, or skim/follow up on later. I was favorably impressed with this presentation, compared to other technical education products that "herd" the student through the material linearly.

Since Java is my "native" programming language, I found the fourth module ("Using XML in Agents and Servlets") to be the most interesting. It describes a number of Java agents for creating, validating, and transforming XML data, and this section contains a great deal of extremely useful code. Even non-Notes developers familiar with Java could get something positive from this section of the course.