XML is a standard from which many encoding languages are created, and it structures much of the data on the Internet. XML is a language of the web (as HTML); it is widely used in mapping and geographic information systems (as KML, the language of Google Maps and Google Earth); it is the basis of TEI, a set of archival standards for the creation and preservation of electronic texts; and databases using XML (such as eXist-db and BaseX) are becoming increasingly popular, especially for use with historical and literary materials. Ubiquitous in computing and relatively easy to learn, XML is a fundamental skill and a powerful way of describing, manipulating, and presenting data and text.
This three-part workshop series will introduce the basic concepts and applications of XML, with hands-on exercises in HTML, KML, and TEI, using materials that are constructed around historical documents and literary texts.
Prior knowledge: These workshops assume no prior knowledge of computing languages, and people of all levels are welcome.
Part 1 Topics (October 20, 2016)
- Fundamental concepts
- Participants will create a website using historical documents from the Old Bailey Archive.
Part 2 Topics (October 27, 2016)
- Introduction to KML and TEI
- Using the same Old Bailey materials, participants will create dynamic maps from KML files, and they will discuss the interpretive issues at play in creating a digital edition using the TEI standard.
- Prerequisite: Part 1 of this series, or a solid understanding of HTML
Part 3 Topics (November 3, 2016)
- Exploration of other areas of XML, based on participant interest.
- Possible topics might include styling a website with CSS, more depth in KML and/or TEI, vector graphics with SVG, library metadata standards, or something else.
- Prerequisite: Part 2 of this series
Please note: If you are unsure whether this course would be helpful in your research, please consider attending my talk for the Lit+DHWorking Group, Tuesday October 18th at 5:00pm, in the D-Lab Convening Room (356 Barrows).
