New Online Training for XPath 3.0
We are happy to introduce our latest online training course offering a comprehensive look at XPath 3.0. This course is available free-of-charge, in a self-paced and straightforward format. With interactive examples it’s easy to learn new material, and you can even download sample files to experiment writing your own XPath expressions as you go. It is perfect for those who are new to XPath or experienced users looking to learn about the added features in Version 3.0.
Let’s take a look at what you’ll learn in the free XPath Training course.
The course begins with an introduction to XPath, providing basic vocabulary definitions so you can immediately understand how the language works, and then details the improvements offered in the latest version of the standard.
Chapter 2 delves into location path expressions, providing several interactive examples. A location path contains one or more steps consisting of an axis, a node test, and zero or more predicates. This chapter breaks down each one in detailed descriptions.
The interactive examples are a useful new feature found throughout the chapters of the training. These allow you to select various XPath statements using radio buttons to see the specific portions of the XML document selected by each expression. Based on your selection, the corresponding XML code is highlighted, and you can read a description of what is selected and why. These interactive examples make it easy to learn how XPath expressions are composed. You can also click the file name to download the sample file used in the example to experiment further in your XML editor. The screenshot above shows an interactive example from Chapter 2.
In Chapter 3, we learn that a number of other types of expressions are also available in XPath 3.0. This section provides thorough explanations and examples of each type of expression.
Chapter 4 covers several new function enhancements added to XPath 3.0. This new version supports the creation of ‘user-defined’ functions, which was not possible in XPath 1.0 and 2.0. In addition, new functions have been added to the built-in function library. This chapter takes an in-depth look at each added function.
Chapter 5 is all about operations. There is a handy table that lists the XPath 3.0 operators in order of increasing operator precedence. XPath 3.0 introduces two new operators, the concat operator ‘||’ and the map operator ‘!’.
In Chapter 6, we look at XPath built-in functions. This section categorizes the functions according to ‘domain’ and provides links to the function definitions located in the XPath and XQuery Functions and Operators 3.0 specification.
After completing these chapters, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of XPath 3.0 and the added features in its new version. XPath 3.0 Technology Training is located, along with all of our free web-based courses, on the Altova Online Training page.