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 150_Horan_Bernard.htm Output from this session

XML & Objects

Working group 300 minutes

The potential synergy between XML and Object Technology

Bernard Horan

Jonathan Irving

Still in its infancy, XML seems poised to revolutionise the web -- it can enable a multitude of IS functions: data warehousing; meta-data definition; general three- or N-tier web-based application architectures; document management; workflow, application integration. However, at first sight, XML appears simply to be nothing more than a data definition language -- the complete antithesis to the object approach of binding state and behaviour.

The purpose of the session is to explore the potential uses of a combination of object-oriented technology and XML. Because XML is still in its infancy, we have an opportunity to influence the standards to reflect more of an object-oriented flavour. We hope that this session will bring together a variety of experiences and insights that may contribute to the future development and advancement of XML.

Bernard Horan (bernard.horan@sun.com)

Sun Microsystems
Riverside Way
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 3YL
UK

 +44 1276 416791
F +44 1276 25941

 Bernard Horan works as an Enterprise Architect in the IT department of Sun Microsystems. He has extensive experience of Object Technology as a researcher, engineer and writer.

Jonathan Irving (jonathan.irving@sun.com)


 
 
 

+44 1276 416117
+44 1276 855697
F +44 1276 25941

 Jonathan is a Java Software Engineer at Sun Microsystems working in the UK in Information Technology. He came to technology aged 12 in the form of a Commodore VIC-20 computer, and following a brief interlude punctuated by music, philosophy and parole, graduated from Kingston University in 1997, an MSc in Information Technology, with distinction. He is currently involved in the prototyping and evaluation of software solutions for multi-tier distributed information systems. 

Topics

The number and range of topics will be determined by the papers submitted. However, we hope to cover such topics as:

Benefits

Participants will learn from each other of the practical applications of Objects and XML. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers to revise and expand their papers and hopefully create plans for future development.
 
 
Session: Working group 300 minutes Level: advanced
Audience:
Participants are expected to have participated in the application of XML technology or have knowledge of how object-oriented technology could be combined with XML. In particular, we expect that participants will understand or have experience of one or more of the following: DTDs/schemas, XSLT and FOP, how a DBMS can be used as an XML repository. Participants are expected to contribute to discussion and to share their experiences. Participation is by invitation only -- we invite papers from engineers, writers, architects and anyone else with an interest in exploring what objects and XML can do for you.		 Max 25

Material

Paper, post-its, posters, overhead transparencies, pens. We request papers from interested participants. Possible topics for papers include: practical experience of using XML and OT; how to improve the synergy between XML and OT; proposed tools to combine XML and OT; proposed frameworks/components/architectures to enable the synthesis of XML and OT. Papers should be approximately 500 words in length (about two sides of A4).

Delivery

Participants will be encouraged to work together, their efforts facilitated by the session leaders.

Format

Working group format, with lots of opportunities to collaborate.

Structure

  1. Intro by session leaders
  2. Participants divide into pairs and introduce themselves to each other/group
  3. Each pair discusses two papers (that they have NOT authored), and each participant prepares a précis of one of the two papers.
  4. Each participant presents a précis of the paper s/he has read to the group
  5. The members of the group divide into smaller teams to work on revising/combining/editing the papers they have authored.
  6. The resulting papers are distributed among the group for a final review.
  7. Each paper is critiqued with suggestions for publication.
  8. Each participant writes down what s/he will do to continue the start they have made in the session (this may include a continuation of the teams during/after the conference).

Outcomes

The revised papers; the intent to continue work on them; the impact on participants' development practises; and the (implicit) learning about new uses of XML and Objects.
 
 
 

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