Hardware and Software Requirements for XML Class

Required Hardware

• PCs adequate for running Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Connection to the Internet

Required Software

• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 5 or higher
• Winzip -- available from Winzip.com or from Dan Keller's site

Setup Tasks to be Done by Students at the Start of Class

Environment Variables

1. Close all DOS windows.
2. Activate the control panel (Start/Settings/Control Panel)
3. Double-click the System icon
4. Click the Environment tab
5. Type classpath in the Variable window, replacing whatever is currently there.
6. In the Value box at the bottom of the dialog box, delete what is currently in the box and enter the following line (including the semicolons). Don't type this stuff by hand! Instead, copy and paste the following text.

   
   C:\training\xml\tools\xp\classes;C:\training\xml\tools\xslp\xslp.zip;C:\training\xml\tools\xslp\xml4j_1_1_9.jar;C:\training\xml\tools\xslp\fesi.jar;C:\training\xml\java\lib\classes.zip;

7. Click the Set button
8. Click the Apply button
9. Verify that the CLASSPATH environment variable is set: Open a DOS window (Start/Programs/Command Prompt) Type: echo %classpath%

Set the PATH variable:

1. Close all DOS windows.
2. Open the control panel (Start/Settings/Control Panel)
3. Double-click the System icon
4. Click the Environment tab
5. Choose Path in the System Variables window
6. In the Value box at the bottom of the dialog box, add the following lines to what is currently in the box, (including the semicolons). Don't type this stuff by hand! Instead, copy and paste the following text.

   
   C:\training\xml\bin;C:\training\xml\java\bin;

7. Click the Set button
8. Click the Apply button
9. Verify that the new new directories have been appended to the PATH environment variable: Open a DOS window (Start/Programs/Command Prompt) and type: path

Files and Directories

• Download and extract (with Winzip) the files from xml.zip to the C:/ drive.
• These files include xmlint and the Java development environment, used in the labs in this course.
• Do not rearrange the directory structure nor attempt to place it anywhere other than on the C: drive. The labs assume this directory structure and will fail otherwise.

Troubleshooting

• In IE5, if an XML file fails to be displayed properly, go to the NT control panel, choose Install/Remove Software, select IE5, and click the Repair button. After a few seconds it tells you to reboot. Dismiss this dialog (no need to reboot) and proceed. IE5 works perfectly thereafter. You don't need to shut it down during this procedure.
• Older versions of IE5 may lack the MS Virtual Machine. Microsoft used to offer an upgrade but no longer does. Today, the only solution is to get a newer browser.