XML spy makes XML editing process simpler

The XML Spy version 4.4 contains some new features, and it also supports some of the latest specifications of the consortium.

by Dan Wahlin

XML Spy is a popular XML editor for many developers, and the latest version of Altova release will certainly not disappoint people. If you have not used XML Spy before, you may not understand many of its features, including how to work with XML documents, XSLT, XSL, schemas, DTDs, and much more. In the XML Spy4.4 version, some features that are not in version 3.5 are added, and it also supports some of the content of the Consortium specification.

XML Schemas

The XML Schema standard, published by the Consortium in May 2001, represents a more powerful way to validate and describe XML documents. XML Spy enables developers to use schema specifications more flexibly, and to design schemas in visual interfaces and code interfaces. This visual editor (visual Editor) allows you to define a complex schema relationship and provides a powerful property editor to help you memorize elements and parameters for different schema languages (see Figure 1). XML Spy also features a schema archive, and you can generate detailed documentation with just a few clicks. This type of documentation is useful for companies that need to understand the various schema details.

XSLT and XSL

Do you want to visually design XSLT style sheets (stylesheet)? In addition to visualizing the XSD schema editor, the XML Spy 4.4 version also includes a Visual XSLT editor (see Figure 2). This editor allows you to load an XML schema so that you understand the structure of the XML document to be converted. After you have specified the XML original document for the schema (so you can handle the real data), you can drag different elements and parameters to the design interface. At the same time, different HTML style features are concentrated in a property window box so that you can easily modify them and get the corresponding XSLT results.

XML Spy4.4 also supports the latest XSL specifications and enables the use of the Java Formatting Objects Class (http://xml.apache.org) to convert XML documents into an accurately formatted PDF document. The specification was just passed in October, so it has a strong effect.

The connectivity of the database

XML spy can save you a lot of time and effort when converting different data into XML format. It supports the input of text files, databases, and Word documents. You can use ADO or ODBC to access the database. Simply tell the editor where your data is, and it will help you read the data and write the correct XML code. Another time-saving feature of it is its ability to generate database schemas. These features will help you in. NET to map existing XML documents to tables and fields in the database.

SOAP Debugger

The SOAP debugger enables you to easily locate soap terminals and see different requests and response information. Although some independent products (standalone product) allow you to capture SOAP messages that are "online", XML spy can integrate this feature into the editor while providing debugging capabilities that allow you to track and debug your code step-by-step.

XML Spy provides many powerful features that make many XML-related work very simple. Whether you want to develop a program in a visual way, or if you want to "see" All the Code in a manual (hands-on) way, you can do it through the XML editor. Although the use of a document may be extended in several ways, the editor works well, and it also provides useful windows and menu bars.

You can buy a separate product that contains the XML spy, or you can purchase its entire product. To find out more about the price and learn more, you can visit the XML Spy Web site: http://www.xmlspy.com.

If you also want to know some of the features of the XML product you used, you can contact me by this address: dwahlin@xmlforasp.net.