Covers all the most recent XML core and related specifications including XML 1.1, J2EE 1.4, Microsoft .NET's latest iteration, as well as open source XML items from the Apache project. Strong coverage of XML use with databases, transactions, and XML security. Discusses both Microsoft (.NET) and Sun (Java) programming integration with XML, an approach not taken in any other book. Presents extensive business examples, including several major applications developed throughout the book. No previous exposure to XML is assumed.