This is the most up-to-date book on XML available, covering current web standards and server-side language versions. It contains multiple chapters on Ajax and DOM, which are two of the hottest web development and design tools available today. Using a pragmatic and thorough approach, the book ensures that even the most novice XML programmers will become familiar and comfortable using the tools presented. The book provides an introduction to Ajax-style programming, which is an essential topic for modern web developers to understand. XML is core to Ajax, so an understanding of it is essential when learning how to program Ajax functionality. This book therefore provides a great stepping stone for readers wishing to take this path.