• Text encoding and the Text Encoding Initiative

    This course introduces the theory and practice of text encoding using the Guidelines of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI), providing an overview of text encoding in general as well as core concepts of the TEI. The course covers concepts such as text modelling, markup languages, and the importance of standards for making metadata usable and searchable. The course also explores the history and approaches to text encoding. The course is divided into three units which are displayed on the left hand menu and can be used to navigate the content.

  • Unit II: Modelling with XML and DTDs

    This unit is divided into three lessons:

    • In Basic XML rules: well formed vs. valid XML the key rules for XML documents are discussed. The basic rules to construct XML documents are explained, how to use elements and attributs, how to encode special characters (via Unicode), how elements are nested, and what the relationships between elements are, described as a family (parent, children, sibling) relationships.  

    • Introduction to DTDs provides a history of DTDs, what they are used for, and the difference between internal and external DTDs. There are exercises in creating elements and attributes, as well as the opportunity to create your first DTD. The DTD exercise is designed for you to put into practice what you have learned through modelling a poem. 

    • The Advanced DTD Exercise is an challenge exercise which provides you with the framework for creating a DTD and document instance (XML document that adheres to the DTD)  for a recipe.