xmlhack: XML Spy 4 enters second beta phase

The second beta of XML Spy Suite 4.0 is available for testing, including support for the W3C XML Schema Recommendation.

XML Spy has evolved from an editor into an integrated XML development environment, now supporting XML Schema and XSLT creation as well as XML editing. New features in the second beta release include:

W3C XML Schema REC support
Conversion from Schema CR schemas to the final REC version, and conversion from DTDs, XDR, BizTalk schemas..
Autogeneration of schema from relational databases, import/export from database sources.
Office XP-style user interface
Plug-in extensibility architecture

XML Spy now includes a document editing framework, allowing word-processor like graphical editing and creation of content. In the 4.0b2 this editor is now available as a browser plugin, allowing deployment over the web. The editing framework also includes a graphical XSLT designer tool.

XML Spy is commercial software, available for the Windows platform. More information on participating in the beta program can be obtained from XML Spy's web site.

Re: XML Spy 4 enters second beta phase (Alexander R Barwick - 14:13, 30 Jul 2001)

Hi Dan,

*************

1) to access the document editor (the msg comes up that there is no Document Editor configuration file; literally, there is no mention in the Help Index of "Document Editor")

2) to access the XSLT Designer; similarly to (1) above, there is literally no mention of it in the Help Index.

*************

The easiest way to get access to both I found is:

Start / Programs / XML Spy Suite / XSLT Designer

This brings up the XSLT Designer from where via Help / Table of Contents a tutorial can be accessed;the tutorial can also be retrieved directly:

Start / Programs / XML Spy Suite / XSLT Designer Tutorial

The 'Document Editor' is on the XSLT Designer's menu.

Once one has designed a transformation and a '.sps' has been created by XML Spy, the result can be viewed in the regular XML Spy IDE by clicking on the " a " [Document Editor View button] situated between 'Text View' and 'Browser View' on the main top horizontal menu.

So this result will be different, being a transformation than a 'Browser View' generated by an 'existing' .xsl file for the .xml file one is working with.

*************

As one who is trying to evaluate 4.0b2 to determine whether it will be useful to buy, I would love to know if there is _any_ forum or newsgroup where XML Spy (or Altova, the company) is discussed?

*************

I am not aware of the company having its own 'newsgroup'; however doing a search in the more popular newsgroups and mailing lists listed on xmlhack's frontpage should yield some results. Here are a few to get on with:

comp.text.xml

microsoft.public.xml

microsoft.public.xsl

microsoft.public.dotnet.xml

I've just started looking at this beta myself and really like it so far.

Yours sincerely,

Alexander

[A.R.Barwick] Student, Maui,Hawaii

It might be my oversight, but I've looked everywhere in the D/Led 4.0b2 and not been able:

1) to access the document editor (the msg comes up that there is no Document Editor configuration file; literally, there is no mention in the Help Index of "Document Editor")

2) to access the XSLT Designer; similarly to (1) above, there is literally no mention of it in the Help Index.

As one who is trying to evaluate 4.0b2 to determine whether it will be useful to buy, I would love to know if there is _any_ forum or newsgroup where XML Spy (or Altova, the company) is discussed?