Using XMLEditor to Create XHTML Pages

The XMLEditor from XMLMind is a general editor for XML-based files. The latest versions have native support for DocBook and XHTML. This editor provides both a tree view of the edited file and a "styled view" that is nearly WYSIWYG. There is a free personal version that works well for generating UIG use cases.

Downloading and Installing XMLEditor

The XMLEditor web site contains information about its features, documentation, and links for downloading it. It is written in Java and should run on all of the major desktop operating systems. Once you've downloaded the appropriate package, follow the instructions from XMLMind for installing it.

XHTML 1.1 Support

The default configuration of XMLEditor works with well for XHTML but is missing the XHTML 1.1 schema specification (DTD). XHTML 1.1 is the version used by the UIG for the Use Cases. Configuring XMLEditor to work with XHTML 1.1 documents is easy. Do the following to find the necessary add-on for XHTML 1.1 support:

• Open the preferences panel using the menu item.
• In the preferences panel, click on the "Install add-ons" in the left-hand column.
• In the right frame, click on "Add" to add an "add-on location".
• Specify "http://cern.ch/loomis/XMLEditor/list.xxe_addon" in the dialog box.
• Click "OK" to close the preferences panel.

• Find the "Install Add-ons..." menu item and select it.
• Search in the list for "XHTML 1.1 support".
• Use the checkbox on the left to select this add-on.
• Click "OK" to install the add-on.
• Restart XMLEditor.

Creating and Editing Files

You can create a new file with the "New..." menu item. In the list choose the "XHTML 1.1/Html" template for a new empty file. This will open a new file based on the template; you should have a window that gives you a nearly WYSIWYG window. Use "Open..." to open an existing file. If the file has the proper DOCTYPE definition within the file, XMLEditor will detect the type and present you with the same WYSIWYG window.

-- CharlesLoomis - 15 Nov 2007