Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Extensible Markup Language (XML) has become the language of choice for any
kind of data transfer between different business entities. Technologies based on XML
like the Extensible Stylesheet Language, the Extensible Linking Language and SOAP
add vital functionality and make the use of XML in many different business
application scenarios possible.
Companies that start employing XML as their format of choice for data exchange are
often faced with the problem of different XML dialects within their company or with
their business partners. This research project looks at the different solutions that are
available for this problem and evaluates their appropriateness for certain scenarios.
The first viable solution is employing the Extensible Stylesheet Language which
allows for basic transformation on the basis of stylesheets. Companies that use this
technology for simple conversion problems can either develop applications
themselves or rely on tools from third-party vendors. For more advanced conversion
needs a more flexible solution is appropriate. Custom made conversion frameworks
developed by using a fourth generation programming language like Java offer the
advantages of scalability by connecting more than one communication partner,
platform-independency and a high degree of flexibility. Another option that will payoff in the future is the adherence to one of the developing
industry XML standards. Such standards are mostly still in the development phase
and have not been adopted widely yet. But once it becomes clear which standards
are going to survive for each industry the adoption of such a standard will eliminate
the need for any customised conversion and facilitate data exchange between
business partners that adhere to the same standard.
In general it is recommended to research existing XML standards before developing
a proprietary one. When a proprietary format already exists the choice of the
conversion tools and methods depends on the complexity of the transformation.
Simple transformation needs can be solved by employing the XSLT technology while
more advanced needs require the development of a customised conversion
framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Extensible Markup Language (XML) het die taal van keuse geword vir enige
soort van data oordraging tussen verskillende bedryfsentiteite. Tegnologie gebaseer
op XML soos die Extensible Stylesheet Language, die Extensible Linking Language
en Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) dra by tot betekenisvolle
waardetoevoeging en maak die gebruik van XML in 'n groot verskeidenheid van
besigheidstoepassings scenarios moontlik.
Ondernemings wat XML as hul formaat van keuse vir data oordraging meer en meer
begin gebruik, word dikwels met die probleem van verskillende XML dialekte intern
tot hul onderneming sowel as ekstern tot hul sakevennote, gekonfronteer. Hierdie
studie ontleed die verskillende oplossings wat beskikbaar is vir die probleem en
evalueer dan die toepaslikheid vir sekere scenarios.
Die eerste uitvoerbare oplossing is die gebruik van die Extensible Stylesheet
Language wat toelaat vir basiese transformasie op die grondslag van stylblaaie.
Ondernemings wat hierdie tegnologie vir eenvoudige omsettingsprobleme wil gebruik
kan óf self toepassings ontwikkel of staatmaak op gereedskap vanaf derde party
verskaffers.
Vir meer gevorderde omsettingsbehoeftes is 'n meer buigsame oplossing geskik.
Doelgemaakte omskakelingsraamwerke wat ontwikkel word deur gebruik te maak van 'n vierde generasie programmeringstaal soos JAVA bied die voordele van
skalering deur meer as een kommunikasievennoot te konnekteer,
platform onafhanklikheid en 'n hoë graad van buigsaamheid.
Nog 'n opsie wat rendement in die toekoms kan lewer is om te bly by een van die
ontwikkelende industrie XML standaarde. Sulke standaarde is meesal nog in die
ontwikkelingsfase en word nog nie tot nou algemeen aanvaar nie. As dit egter begin
duidelik word watter standaarde gaan oorleef vir elke industrie sal die aanvaarding
van sulke standaarde die nodigheid vir doelgemaakte omskakeling elimineer en sal
dit data uitruiling tussen sakevennote wat hou by dieselfde standaarde bevorder.
In die algemeen word dit aanbeveel dat bestaande XML standaarde goed nagevors
word alvorens 'n alleenreg een ontwikkel word. Wanneer 'n alleenregformaat alreeds
bestaan sal die keuse van transformasiegereedskap en metodes afhang van die
kompleksiteit van die transformasie. Eenvoudige transformeerde behoeftes kan
bevredig word deur die XSLT tegnologie te gebruik, terwyl meer gevorderde
behoeftes die ontwikkeling van 'n doelgemaakte omskakelingraamwerk sal benodig.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/49721 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Roellinghoff, Manuel |
| Contributors | Botha, Daan, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 97 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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