CS155a: E-CommerceSome Acronyms Used In This LectureThe XML RevolutionExtensible Markup LanguageWhy XML?XML’s Big Idea: Document TypesCatalog Entry in XMLSmart Processing with XMLSlide 9Making Money in B2BSlide 11XML and Information “IQ”DTDs, Parsers, and ValidationDTDs And ValidationXML Schemas in Electronic CommerceConnecting with HTML (“by eye”)HTML’s Limitations for IntegrationXML as Internet-Friendly Integration TechnologyConnecting using XMLBusiness Processes are XML Document ExchangesSignificance of XML Document Exchange ArchitectureFunctions of “Market Makers” in a Document Exchange ArchitectureXML is Part of the SolutionCS155a: E-CommerceLecture 14: October 25, 2001Introduction to XMLAcknowledgement: R. Glushko and A. GregorySome Acronyms UsedIn This LectureHTML = Hyper Text Markup LanguageXML = Extensible Markup LanguageEDI = Electronic Data InterchangeERP = Enterprise Resource PlanningMRP = Materials Requirement PlanningThe XML Revolution•The Web was created to publish information for people.–“Eyes-only” was dominant design perspective–Hard to search–Hard to automate processing•The Web is using XML to become a platform for information exchange between computers (and people).–Overcomes HTML’s inherent limitations–Enables the new business models of the network economyExtensible Markup Language•Instead of a fixed set of format-oriented tags like HTML, XML allows you to create whatever set of tags are needed for your type of information.•This makes any XML instance “self-describing” and easily understood by computers and people.•XML-encoded information is smart enough to support new classes of Web ande-commerce applications.Why XML?Sample Catalog Entry in HTML<TITLE> Laptop Computer </TITLE><BODY><UL><LI> IBM Thinkpad 600E<LI> 400 MHz<LI> 64 Mb<LI> 8 Gb<LI> 4.1 pounds<LI> $3200</UL></BODY>XML’s Big Idea: Document Types•Customer Profiles•Vendor Profiles•Catalogs•Datasheets•Price Lists•Purchase Orders•Invoices•Inventory Reports•Bill of Materials•Payments•Deposits•Credit Reports•Schedules•Directories•…whatever you needIn XML the formal definition of permitted elements, attributes, and the rules by which they combine is called a Document Type Definition or DTD or schema.Catalog Entry in XML<COMPUTER TYPE=“Laptop”><MANUFACTURER>IBM</MANUFACTURER><LINE> ThinkPad</LINE><MODEL>600E</MODEL><SPECIFICAIONS> <SPEED UNIT = “MHz”>400</SPEED><MEMORY UNIT=“MB”>64</MEMORY><DISK UNIT=“GB”>8</DISK><WEIGHT UNIT=“POUND”>4.1</WEIGHT><PRICE CURRENCY=“USD”>3200</PRICE></SPECIFICATIONS></COMPUTER>Smart Processing with XML•<COMPUTER> and <SPECIFICATIONS> provide logical containers for extracting and manipulating product informationas a unit–Sort by <MANUFACTURER>, <SPEED>, <WEIGHT>, <PRICE>, etc.•Explicit identification of each part enables its automated processing–Convert <PRICE> from “USD” to Euro, Yen, etc.Traditional Business Models and Integration RequirementsTraditional models for electronic business are based on long-term,point-to-point, and tightly coupled relationships•EDI is used here because high integration costs can be recovered over time•Partners are more willing to invest in compatible IT infrastructure at each end or in middleware that creates a distributed applicationMaking Money in B2B•Licenses and support–Traditional model, works for technology providers to B2B marketplaces•Equity–But only if the B2B company can IPO•XML has little to say about thisMaking Money in B2B•Transaction fees–What counts as a transaction?–Who pays the fees – buyers or suppliers?•Market efficiency–Driving costs out of supply chain for all participants–Exploit & refine existing business relationships & experience•XML is crucial to these concernsXML and Information “IQ”Content/structure-based text objects:Content/structure-based text objects:XML, SGML, databasesXML, SGML, databasesFormatted electronic test: Formatted electronic test: HTML, EDI, word processing filesHTML, EDI, word processing filesUnstructured electronic text:Unstructured electronic text:ASCIIASCIIPrinted textPrinted textMore “processability”/reusabilityEasier to translate toDTDs, Parsers, and Validation•From any DTD, an XML parser can be generated that:–reads a document instance (the XML data stream);–identifies the markup in it; and–creates a processable form of some kind that is used by an application.•The parser can also test the XML document for conformance with the rules of the DTD.–A document instance that follows the rules of the DTD is “valid.”DTDs And ValidationXML XML Purchase Purchase Order Order InstanceInstancePurchase Purchase Order DTDOrder DTDXML XML ParserParserSome Some ProcessableProcessableFormFormXML Schemas in Electronic Commerce •Essential to treat dates, monetary amounts, etc. as datatypes to enable validation•Schema inheritance and extension mechanisms allow custom versions of same document to co –exist–Software can distinguish extensions from standard document and decide whether or not extensions can be safely ignored–Trading partners can customize messages for specialized needs while standard message maintains backward compatibilityConnecting with HTML (“by eye”)Problem: Company 1 has no integration with order management manual and error prone data entryCompany 1Web BrowserCompany 2eCommerceServerERP/Accounting SystemsInternetHTML’s Limitations for Integration•The Web was created as a publishing medium, not as an e-commerce platform•HTML, the Web’s language for encoding information, is format-oriented and meant to be understood “by eye” –Simple structures: headings, lists, links–Browsers are “hard wired” to render HTML as web pages•No content-based encoding means that HTML can’t be effectively searched or processed by business applicationsXML as Internet-Friendly Integration Technology… exchange data in an application and vendor neutral formatXMLXMLWEB CORBA/COMEDIDocument basedAPI basedConnecting using XMLBenefit: XML can beprocessed automaticallywith huge cost savingsCompany 2eCommerceServerERP/Accounting SystemsCompany 1eCommerceServerERP/Accounting SystemsInternetProblem: Company 1 andCompany 2 have to agreeon document formatBusiness Processes are XML Document ExchangesIf you send me a request for a catalog, I will send you a catalogIf you send me a purchase order and I can fill it, I will
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