Streamlining XML Authoring Workflows

The case for concurrent working

Phil Fearon@pgfearo

XML Authoring Workflows

Purpose

Workflow Types

Existing Solutions

Concurrent Workflows and Merge

Purpose of Workflow

Let people work together

Improve quality

Ensure consistent style

Check correctness

…

Types of Authoring Workflow

1. Sequential1. Sequential

2. Concurrent2. Concurrent

Non-XML Change Management

Computer Instructions – but human readable

Free-flow text – within an XML structure

Program Source Code

XML Document

Parallels with Software Development?

XML Change Management

Microsoft Word

oXygen XML

XMLFlow Goals

• User-Interface Study

• Document merge Demonstrator

• Prove Client-side XML Processing

• Explore Web/Mobile technologies

Practical Concurrent Working

Demo Summary

XMLFlow Design

Cloud StorageCloud Storage

BrowserBrowser

WebWebApplicatioApplicatio

nnServerServer

DeltaXMLMerge

‘Raw’ DITA Merge Result

Serialized Working Merge

Technologies Used

• DeltaXML Merge

• BootStrap CSS

• JavaScript & HTML5 APIs

• Saxon-CE XSLT 2.0

• HTTP Servlets & WebSockets (for callbacks)

Conclusions

• Concurrent working adds flexibility

• N-way document merge solutions exist

• An effective UI for merge is essential

• XML in the browser is alive and well!