The eXtensible Markup The eXtensible Markup Language (XML): An Enabling Language (XML): An Enabling

Technology in e-HealthcareTechnology in e-Healthcare

Presented by: M N Kamel BoulosPresented by: M N Kamel BoulosE-mail: dk708@city.ac.ukE-mail: dk708@city.ac.uk

Copyright © 2000 MIM Centre, City University, London, UK -Copyright © 2000 MIM Centre, City University, London, UK - Revision 1.0 - Oct 2000Revision 1.0 - Oct 2000

AgendaAgenda Why XML?Why XML? Practical Examples (HTML Vs. XML)Practical Examples (HTML Vs. XML) XSLXSL XLinkXLink XML Syntax, Namespaces, DOM, DTDs and SchemasXML Syntax, Namespaces, DOM, DTDs and Schemas RDFRDF SMILSMIL WAP and WMLWAP and WML Microsoft .Microsoft .net, net, Web Services and BizTalkWeb Services and BizTalk Future Directions: XML and HL-7Future Directions: XML and HL-7 ConclusionConclusion

““Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.”its original dimensions.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., US jurist (1841-1935Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., US jurist (1841-1935))

Why XML?Why XML?The eXtensible Markup language (XML) is a The eXtensible Markup language (XML) is a rather new approach to storing and rather new approach to storing and manipulating data that makes information manipulating data that makes information exchange and retrieval much easier.exchange and retrieval much easier.

XML is revolutionising the global XML is revolutionising the global information environment in e-business and information environment in e-business and knowledge management, and is predicted to knowledge management, and is predicted to do the same in healthcare.do the same in healthcare.

6 October 2000: XML 1.0 Second Edition Published6 October 2000: XML 1.0 Second Edition PublishedURI: URI: http://www.w3.org/http://www.w3.org/

Why XML? Why XML? Communication and InteroperabilityCommunication and Interoperability

XML makes it possible, despite the XML makes it possible, despite the unwieldy “forest” of incompatible unwieldy “forest” of incompatible computer systems, to create an computer systems, to create an “Esperanto,” a common language, that “Esperanto,” a common language, that all can read and write.all can read and write.Medical Device Interoperability:Medical Device Interoperability: XML allows XML allows clinical data to be transferred from an ECG machine clinical data to be transferred from an ECG machine or a CT scanner to a desktop computer (EPR), a or a CT scanner to a desktop computer (EPR), a handheld computer or even a pager.handheld computer or even a pager.

Why XML?Why XML?

XML is similar to HTML (Hypertext XML is similar to HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) in that it consists of Markup Language) in that it consists of nothing more than “simple” text and nothing more than “simple” text and herein lies its real power and the fact that herein lies its real power and the fact that it is “future-proof” and is platform- and it is “future-proof” and is platform- and device-independent.device-independent.

Why XML? Why XML? Expressing Data Context and MeaningExpressing Data Context and Meaning

However, unlike HTML, which just However, unlike HTML, which just describes the structure and appearance describes the structure and appearance (i.e., formatting) of a document, XML (i.e., formatting) of a document, XML can also describe the contents of a can also describe the contents of a document (e.g., an electronic patient document (e.g., an electronic patient record) in a hierarchical fashion that can record) in a hierarchical fashion that can be manipulated using an XML parser.be manipulated using an XML parser.

Why XML? Why XML? Extensibility - Create Your Own TagsExtensibility - Create Your Own Tags

XML is also a meta-language, i.e., can XML is also a meta-language, i.e., can be used to develop other languages or be used to develop other languages or standards like RDF, SMIL, WML and standards like RDF, SMIL, WML and BSML. XML allows users to define their BSML. XML allows users to define their own tags/standards according to their own tags/standards according to their needs.needs.

RDF: Resource Description Framework

SMIL: Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language

WML: Wireless Markup Language

BSML: Biosequence Markup Language

XML: A Practical ExampleXML: A Practical Example (Bosak & Bray, 1999)(Bosak & Bray, 1999)

Using current Web-based (non-XML) systems, a Using current Web-based (non-XML) systems, a doctor might be able to pull up her patient’s drug doctor might be able to pull up her patient’s drug reaction history on her Web browser, but she reaction history on her Web browser, but she cannot then e-mail it to a specialist and expect cannot then e-mail it to a specialist and expect her to be able to paste the fields directly into her her to be able to paste the fields directly into her hospital’s database. Her computer would not hospital’s database. Her computer would not know what to make of the information, which to know what to make of the information, which to its eyes would be no more intelligible than its eyes would be no more intelligible than <H1><H1> some text some text </H1> <BOLD></H1> <BOLD> some text some text </BOLD></BOLD> ((<H1> <H1> and and <BOLD><BOLD> are HTML tags). are HTML tags).

XML: A Practical ExampleXML: A Practical Example (Bosak & Bray, 1999)(Bosak & Bray, 1999)

By using XML to craft a markup language for By using XML to craft a markup language for encoding medical records, this doctor’s e-mail encoding medical records, this doctor’s e-mail would contain something like would contain something like <patient> <patient> <name><name> some text some text </name> <drug-</name> <drug-allergy>allergy> some text some text </drug-allergy> </drug-allergy> </patient></patient> or any other agreed upon tags. or any other agreed upon tags. Programming any computer then to recognise Programming any computer then to recognise this standard medical markup and to add this this standard medical markup and to add this vital information to its database becomes vital information to its database becomes straightforward.straightforward.

XML: Beyond WYSIWYGXML: Beyond WYSIWYG

The problem with HTML WYSIWYG “What The problem with HTML WYSIWYG “What You See Is What You Get” is that what you see You See Is What You Get” is that what you see is actually all what you’ve got. You cannot for is actually all what you’ve got. You cannot for example differentiate (from the computer example differentiate (from the computer processing perspective when dealing with HTML processing perspective when dealing with HTML free text) between “Penicillin” as a prescribed free text) between “Penicillin” as a prescribed drug (treatment) and “Penicillin” as a drug to drug (treatment) and “Penicillin” as a drug to which the patient is allergic; to the computer both which the patient is allergic; to the computer both cases are just “Penicillin.”cases are just “Penicillin.”

XML: Beyond WYSIWYGXML: Beyond WYSIWYG

XML, on the other hand, allows you to XML, on the other hand, allows you to describe crisply and explicitly (again from the describe crisply and explicitly (again from the computer perspective) the context within computer perspective) the context within which the word “Penicillin” has been cited which the word “Penicillin” has been cited and therefore the computer can and therefore the computer can unambiguously determine which meaning of unambiguously determine which meaning of the two is applicable, much like when dealing the two is applicable, much like when dealing with a structured conventional database.with a structured conventional database.

PubMed Citation Record is in XMLPubMed Citation Record is in XML

PubMed MEDLINE PubMed MEDLINE service features its own service features its own XML citation record.XML citation record.

URI: URI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed

Try querying PubMed MEDLINE using the Try querying PubMed MEDLINE using the keyword 'XML’keyword 'XML’

XSL XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language)(eXtensible Stylesheet Language)

Unlike HTML CSSs (Cascaded Style Unlike HTML CSSs (Cascaded Style Sheets), XSL stylesheets do a lot more Sheets), XSL stylesheets do a lot more than just applying a formatting style than just applying a formatting style (although the final result might look like (although the final result might look like an HTML file). When applied to XML an HTML file). When applied to XML files, XSL stylesheets can sort, rearrange files, XSL stylesheets can sort, rearrange and/or display only subsets of the data and/or display only subsets of the data contained in these files (by ap-contained in these files (by ap-plying XSL patterns).plying XSL patterns).

XSL XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language)(eXtensible Stylesheet Language)

Different views or subsets of the EPR Different views or subsets of the EPR corresponding to the different user access corresponding to the different user access levels/permissions that are allowed, orlevels/permissions that are allowed, or

Task-specific views of the EPR that could Task-specific views of the EPR that could be clinically relevant and more usable in be clinically relevant and more usable in relation to a particular task.relation to a particular task.

Thus, for an XML Electronic Patient Record Thus, for an XML Electronic Patient Record (EPR), different XSL stylesheets can be (EPR), different XSL stylesheets can be defined and applied to generate:defined and applied to generate:

XSL XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language)(eXtensible Stylesheet Language)

XSL stylesheets allow XSL stylesheets allow the same XML document the same XML document to be displayed on a wide to be displayed on a wide variety of devices, e.g., variety of devices, e.g., as a Web page with as a Web page with graphics for a desktop graphics for a desktop computer, as a text-only computer, as a text-only list for a handheld list for a handheld organizer and even as organizer and even as audible speech for a audible speech for a telephone.telephone.

One Data Source and Many DevicesOne Data Source and Many Devices

XLink XLink (XML Hyperlink)(XML Hyperlink)XML Hyperlink can open a menu of XML Hyperlink can open a menu of several options. One option might several options. One option might insert an image, such as a plane insert an image, such as a plane seating chart,seating chart,into the currentinto the currentpage (red page (red arrow). Othersarrow). Otherscould run acould run asmall programsmall programto book a flightto book a flight(yellow arrow)(yellow arrow)or reveal hid-or reveal hid-den text (green arrow). The links can den text (green arrow). The links can also connect to other pages (blue also connect to other pages (blue arrow).arrow). One Link and Multiple DestinationsOne Link and Multiple Destinations

XML Syntax RulesXML Syntax Rules

Unlike HTML, XML is case sensitive; Unlike HTML, XML is case sensitive; <<ppatient>atient> and and <<PPatient>atient> are different are different

While the closing forward slash may not be While the closing forward slash may not be used in single-tag empty HTML elements (e.g., used in single-tag empty HTML elements (e.g., <img src=myphoto.jpg><img src=myphoto.jpg> tag), it is tag), it is mandatory for single-tag empty XML elements mandatory for single-tag empty XML elements ((<element attribute="value" <element attribute="value" //>>))

XML requires elements' attribute values to be XML requires elements' attribute values to be enclosed in quotation marks (enclosed in quotation marks (""""))

XML Syntax RulesXML Syntax Rules

Other important XML rules include correct Other important XML rules include correct nesting of tags (e.g., nesting of tags (e.g., <x><x><y> </y><y> </y></x></x> but but notnot <x><x><y><y> </x> </x></y></y>) and a closing ) and a closing tag for each non-empty element opening tag, tag for each non-empty element opening tag, e.g., e.g., </element></element> for for eacheach <element><element>

XML NamespacesXML NamespacesXML namespaces provide a mechanism for keeping XML namespaces provide a mechanism for keeping everything unique, so that elements with exactly the same everything unique, so that elements with exactly the same name but with different meaning or context don’t clash name but with different meaning or context don’t clash with each otherwith each other

For example, if we use the element For example, if we use the element <title><title> in the in the context of the NeLH, we could be referring to the title of a context of the NeLH, we could be referring to the title of a resource or the title of the person who wants to access it resource or the title of the person who wants to access it (Prof., Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.)(Prof., Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.)

Namespaces offer a solution to this conflict through the Namespaces offer a solution to this conflict through the combination of a unique Universal Resource Identifier combination of a unique Universal Resource Identifier (URI) and a 'local part' (element prefix(URI) and a 'local part' (element prefixmapped to this URI)mapped to this URI)

Cambridge: UK, US or Canada?Cambridge: UK, US or Canada? Cambridge (UK)Cambridge (UK) Cambridge (Maryland or Cambridge (Maryland or

Massachusetts, US)Massachusetts, US) Cambridge (Ontario, Canada)Cambridge (Ontario, Canada)

XML DOM XML DOM (Document Object Model)(Document Object Model)

Let’s look at some XML:Let’s look at some XML:

<?xml version="1.0"?><?xml version="1.0"?><root><root> <patient id="1"><patient id="1">

<name><name> <first>John</first><first>John</first> <last>Doe</last><last>Doe</last></name></name><visits><visits> <visit date="2000-09-15” /><visit date="2000-09-15” /> <visit date="2000-10-16” /><visit date="2000-10-16” /></visits></visits>

</patient></patient> <patient id="2"><patient id="2">

......

</root></root>

XML DOM XML DOM (Document Object Model)(Document Object Model)

DOM and its methods represent/build an XML data DOM and its methods represent/build an XML data structure as an structure as an in-memory hierarchy or treein-memory hierarchy or tree that can be that can be searchedsearched using XPath and using XPath and navigatednavigated using DOM features using DOM features like like node.firstChildnode.firstChild, , node.nextSiblingnode.nextSibling, etc., etc.

id

id

date

rootNamespace

patient

patient

12

name

first last

DoeJohn

visits

visit visit date

2000-09-15 2000-10-16

Microsoft® SAX2Microsoft® SAX2SAX2, the SAX2, the Simple API for XMLSimple API for XML, is a standard , is a standard interface for event-based XML parsing, offering fast, interface for event-based XML parsing, offering fast, low-memory alternative to processing XML low-memory alternative to processing XML documents using DOM. When the DOM is used to documents using DOM. When the DOM is used to parse an XML file, it builds a complete tree of a parse an XML file, it builds a complete tree of a document in memory. SAX2, in contrast, traverses document in memory. SAX2, in contrast, traverses the document and informs the calling application of the document and informs the calling application of parsing events, such as the start or end of a new parsing events, such as the start or end of a new element, so SAX2 is very suited for parsing long element, so SAX2 is very suited for parsing long documents.documents.

XML DTDs and SchemasXML DTDs and SchemasBefore they can draft a new XML language, designers Before they can draft a new XML language, designers must agree on the language's vocabulary and structure, must agree on the language's vocabulary and structure, i.e., which elements (tags) will be allowed and their i.e., which elements (tags) will be allowed and their attributes, and how tagged elements may nest within attributes, and how tagged elements may nest within one another. This is then codified in a Document Type one another. This is then codified in a Document Type Definition or DTD.Definition or DTD.

Schemas provide the same functionality as DTDs. Schemas provide the same functionality as DTDs. However, because schemas are written in XML, they However, because schemas are written in XML, they are extensible, allowing developers to augment them are extensible, allowing developers to augment them with additional information, such as datatypes, with additional information, such as datatypes, inheritance and presentation rules. Schemasinheritance and presentation rules. Schemasare thus far more powerful than DTDs.are thus far more powerful than DTDs.

XML Family of LanguagesXML Family of Languages RDF (Resource Description Framework) SMIL (Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language) WML (Wireless Markup Language) XHTML (Extensible HyperText Markup Language) BSML (Biosequence Markup Language) MML (Medical Markup Language — Araki et al)

..

..

..And much more...And much more...

And even Theological Markup Language — ThML!And even Theological Markup Language — ThML!(URI: (URI: http://www.ccel.org/ThML/http://www.ccel.org/ThML/))

RDF RDF (Resource Description Framework)(Resource Description Framework)

RDF is a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) RDF is a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard based on XML. RDF integrates a standard based on XML. RDF integrates a variety of Web-based metadata (information variety of Web-based metadata (information about information) activities including sitemaps, about information) activities including sitemaps, content ratings (the next-generation PICS - content ratings (the next-generation PICS - Platform for Internet Content Selection), stream Platform for Internet Content Selection), stream channel definitions, search engine data channel definitions, search engine data collection (Web crawling), digital library collection (Web crawling), digital library collections and distributed authoring.collections and distributed authoring.

URI:URI: http://www.w3.org/RDF/http://www.w3.org/RDF/

Try this URI: Try this URI: http://www.helio.org/products/smil/http://www.helio.org/products/smil/

SMILSMIL (Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language)(Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language)

The Worldwide Web Consortium - W3C’s The Worldwide Web Consortium - W3C’s synchronised multimedia group has focused on the synchronised multimedia group has focused on the design of a new language for scheduling multimedia design of a new language for scheduling multimedia presentations where audio, video, text, still images and presentations where audio, video, text, still images and graphics are combined in real time.graphics are combined in real time.

SMIL is written as an XML application to support the SMIL is written as an XML application to support the synchronised presentation of a set of images, sound synchronised presentation of a set of images, sound and text objects within defined areas of a window of and text objects within defined areas of a window of specified size. It enables authors to specify precisely specified size. It enables authors to specify precisely whatwhat should be presented should be presented whenwhen..

SMILSMIL (Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language)(Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language)

For example, SMIL allows multimedia authors to For example, SMIL allows multimedia authors to control the precise time that a sentence is spoken control the precise time that a sentence is spoken and make it coincide with the display of a given and make it coincide with the display of a given image on the screen.image on the screen.

SMIL can potentially fulfill many of the SMIL can potentially fulfill many of the requirements for creating, amending and requirements for creating, amending and communicating e-Healthcare Multimedia communicating e-Healthcare Multimedia Reports, as well as supporting professional and Reports, as well as supporting professional and patient education.patient education.

WAP and WMLWAP and WML

WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It is a global standard specified in order to make is a global standard specified in order to make Internet services available for mobile users.Internet services available for mobile users.

Using Wireless Markup Language (WML, a type Using Wireless Markup Language (WML, a type of XML), software developers create WAP sites of XML), software developers create WAP sites that can be accessed fast and easily from a WAP that can be accessed fast and easily from a WAP enabled terminal, such as the Ericsson R380 enabled terminal, such as the Ericsson R380 smart mobile phone.smart mobile phone.

WAP and WMLWAP and WMLOn the conventional Web, a Web page is a On the conventional Web, a Web page is a document stored on a Web server, and this file is document stored on a Web server, and this file is sent to the client Web browser when requested. sent to the client Web browser when requested.

In WAP, the WML documents are called decks, In WAP, the WML documents are called decks, and they are also stored on Web servers. Each and they are also stored on Web servers. Each deck contains one or more cards, and the content deck contains one or more cards, and the content of each card is what is normally displayed in the of each card is what is normally displayed in the WAP browser window (the display window is WAP browser window (the display window is scrollable).scrollable).

Create your WAP pages with WAPDrive's free WML editor for WindowsCreate your WAP pages with WAPDrive's free WML editor for WindowsURI: URI: http://www.wapdrive.net/DOCS/downloads/wd-waptor23.exehttp://www.wapdrive.net/DOCS/downloads/wd-waptor23.exe

WAP and WMLWAP and WMLWAP adds a new dimension to WAP adds a new dimension to Internet mobility. Using compatible Internet mobility. Using compatible mobile phones, users can book tickets, mobile phones, users can book tickets, order pizzas and check their bank order pizzas and check their bank accounts anywhere and at any time.accounts anywhere and at any time.

In healthcare, this means mobile In healthcare, this means mobile access to contextual medical access to contextual medical knowledge and electronic patient knowledge and electronic patient records whenever and wherever records whenever and wherever needed bringing information to the needed bringing information to the patient’s bedside.patient’s bedside.

Microsoft® Microsoft® .net.net and Web Services and Web ServicesWeb Services are XML applications providing services (e.g., booking a GP appointment) that can be accessed programmatically and used as interoperablebuilding blocks to createmore complexsystems.

The Next generation Microsoft® Platform

Microsoft® SOAP and C#Microsoft® SOAP and C#SOAP, the SOAP, the Simple Object Access ProtocolSimple Object Access Protocol, is a way to , is a way to create widely distributed, complex computing create widely distributed, complex computing environments that run over the Internet using existing environments that run over the Internet using existing Internet infrastructure. SOAP is about applications Internet infrastructure. SOAP is about applications communicating directly with each other over the Internet communicating directly with each other over the Internet in a very rich way.in a very rich way.

C# (pronounced C Sharp) is a modern, object-oriented C# (pronounced C Sharp) is a modern, object-oriented programming language from Microsoft and part of the the programming language from Microsoft and part of the the forthcoming Visual Studio .NET. C# embraces XML and forthcoming Visual Studio .NET. C# embraces XML and SOAP standards, enabling programmers to quickly build a SOAP standards, enabling programmers to quickly build a wide range of applications and Web Serviceswide range of applications and Web Servicesfor the new Microsoft .NET platform.for the new Microsoft .NET platform.

Microsoft® BizTalkMicrosoft® BizTalkThe BizTalk framework defines a standard ‘envelope’ in The BizTalk framework defines a standard ‘envelope’ in which XML documents can be placed. This envelope which XML documents can be placed. This envelope (itself described in standard XML with an appropriate (itself described in standard XML with an appropriate schema) includes a ‘header’ and ‘body’.schema) includes a ‘header’ and ‘body’.

The The <header><header> contains details about the delivery of contains details about the delivery of the message and about message contents, e.g., message the message and about message contents, e.g., message subject, date/time, sender, recipient, etc.subject, date/time, sender, recipient, etc.

The actual body of the document, e.g., XML describing The actual body of the document, e.g., XML describing a Laboratory Results Report, follows the a Laboratory Results Report, follows the </header></header> between the between the <body><body> and and </body></body> tags. tags.

URI: URI: http://www.biztalk.org/http://www.biztalk.org/

Future Directions: XML and HL-7Future Directions: XML and HL-7XML will probably replace EDIFACT XML will probably replace EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) as Administration, Commerce and Transport) as the standard for shipping information around the standard for shipping information around the NHSnet and elsewhere. The counterpart of the NHSnet and elsewhere. The counterpart of EDIFACT in the United States is Health EDIFACT in the United States is Health Level-7 (HL-7). HL-7 is also widely used in Level-7 (HL-7). HL-7 is also widely used in Europe and XML is destined to play a big role Europe and XML is destined to play a big role in its development.in its development.

Future Directions: XML and HL-7Future Directions: XML and HL-7““We want to dispel the notion that XML We want to dispel the notion that XML alone offers an alternative to HL-7. XML alone offers an alternative to HL-7. XML is an encoding that complements the is an encoding that complements the semantic content provided by the HL-7 semantic content provided by the HL-7 Reference Information Model (RIM), Reference Information Model (RIM), allowing users to exploit all the allowing users to exploit all the possibilities of the Internet.” possibilities of the Internet.” --Stan Huff, --Stan Huff, chair of the HL-7 board of directorschair of the HL-7 board of directors

RIM: Vocabulary, Semantics/MeaningRIM: Vocabulary, Semantics/MeaningRIM: Vocabulary, Semantics/MeaningRIM: Vocabulary, Semantics/Meaning

XML: Syntax, Grammar, InfrastructureXML: Syntax, Grammar, Infrastructurefor Data Interchangefor Data Interchange

XML: Syntax, Grammar, InfrastructureXML: Syntax, Grammar, Infrastructurefor Data Interchangefor Data Interchange

URI: URI: http://www.hl7.orghttp://www.hl7.org//

Future Directions: XML and HL-7Future Directions: XML and HL-7HL-7 successfully balloted what it believes to be the HL-7 successfully balloted what it believes to be the first XML-based standard for healthcare — the first XML-based standard for healthcare — the Clinical Document Architecture (CDA). The CDA, Clinical Document Architecture (CDA). The CDA, previously known as the Patient Record Architecture previously known as the Patient Record Architecture (PRA), provides an exchange model for clinical (PRA), provides an exchange model for clinical documents (e.g., discharge summaries and progress documents (e.g., discharge summaries and progress notes) and brings the healthcare industry closer to the notes) and brings the healthcare industry closer to the realisation of an electronic patient record. The CDA realisation of an electronic patient record. The CDA Standard is expected to become an ANSI approved Standard is expected to become an ANSI approved standard by the end of the year 2000.standard by the end of the year 2000.

Future Directions: XML and HL-7Future Directions: XML and HL-7CDA makes documents both machine-readable — so they are easily parsed and processed electronically — and human-readable — so they can be easily retrieved and used by the people that need them. CDA documents can be displayed using XML-aware Web browsers or WAP phones.

The CDA is only the first example of HL-7’s commitment to the advancement of XML-based e-healthcare technologies within the clinical, patient care domain. HL-7 is also developing XML-based Version 3 messages.

ConclusionConclusionWe are entering the next phase of computing – a phase enabled by the Internet, specifically by the key Internet technology, Extensible Markup Language (XML).

XML is emerging as the standard way to pass structured data across the Internet, through its high extensibility, device-independence, interoperability and context pre-servation features.

ConclusionConclusionHowever, this extreme flexibility can lead to a new Babel of incompatible e-Health-care standards that need expensive and complex middleware to communicate with each other, thus stripping XML of one of its most important features: interoperability.

Initiatives like HL-7 CDA aim at creating a set of internationally agreed-upon XML e-Healthcare Standards to ensure that the excellent XML interoperability is maintained across alle-Healthcare systems.

Suggested Activities:Suggested Activities: Read… Explore… Experiment...Read… Explore… Experiment...

Browse the resources listed in ‘The NeLH guide to Browse the resources listed in ‘The NeLH guide to XML’ – compiled by Colin Gordon, Dave Rodrick, XML’ – compiled by Colin Gordon, Dave Rodrick, Maged N Kamel Boulos and Ben TothMaged N Kamel Boulos and Ben TothURI: URI: http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/xml_links.asphttp://www.nelh.nhs.uk/xml_links.asp

Download MSXML SDK Beta Release, September Download MSXML SDK Beta Release, September 2000 (includes Microsoft XML Tutorial) ~1.5 MB – 2000 (includes Microsoft XML Tutorial) ~1.5 MB – URI:URI:http://msdn.microsoft.com/code/sample.asp?url=/http://msdn.microsoft.com/code/sample.asp?url=/msdn-files/027/000/542/msdncompositedoc.xmlmsdn-files/027/000/542/msdncompositedoc.xml

XML…XML…An XXXL Technology!An XXXL Technology!

Thank You for AttendingThank You for Attending

Contact Details: Contact Details: Dr M N Kamel BoulosDr M N Kamel Boulos

E-mail: E-mail: dk708@city.ac.ukdk708@city.ac.uk