Java and XML, Second Edition

Chapter 4. Advanced SAX

The last chapter was a good introduction to SAX. However, there are several more topics that will round out your knowledge of SAX. While I’ve called this chapter “Advanced SAX,” don’t be intimidated. It could just as easily be called “Less-Used Portions of SAX that are Still Important.” In writing these two chapters, I followed the 80/20 principle. 80% of you will probably never need to use the material in this chapter, and Chapter 3 will completely cover your needs. However, for those power users out there working in XML day in and day out, this chapter covers some of the finer points of SAX that you’ll need.

I’ll start with a look at setting parser properties and features, and discuss configuring your parser to do whatever you need it to. From there, I’ll move on to some more handlers: the EntityResolver and DTDHandler left over from the last chapter. At that point, you should have a comprehensive understanding of the standard SAX 2.0 distribution. However, we’ll push on to look at some SAX extensions, beginning with the writers that can be coupled with SAX, as well as some filtering mechanisms. Finally, I’ll introduce some new handlers to you, the LexicalHandler and DeclHandler, and show you how they are used. When all is said and done (including another “Gotcha!” section), you should be ready to take on the world with just your parser and the SAX classes. So slip into your shiny spacesuit and grab the flightstick—ahem. Well, I got carried away with the ...