Cocoon: Building XML Applications provides a comprehensive guide to the Apache open source project Cocoon. According to the official Cocoon web site, "Apache Cocoon is an XML publishing framework that raises the usage of XML and XSLT technologies for server applications to a new level. Cocoon allows you to define XML documents and transformations to be applied on it, to eventually generate a presentation format of your choice (HTML, PDF, SVG, etc.). Cocoon also gives you the possibility to apply logic to your XML files (so that the XML pipeline can be dynamic)."

In the book, managers will find detailed information on XML and be motivated to employ open source XML software to build modern application architectures. Site administrators will find everything they need to get up and running with Cocoon. In addition, detailed examples will provide the "hands-on" experience of building applications with Cocoon. For those developers interested in extending Cocoon with additional Java components, the book contains detailed information and shows how to develop and deploy Cocoon components. The book is co-authored by a member of the Cocoon development team and covers the recently released version 2.0.

1. An Introduction to Internet Applications.
A Brief History of Internet Applications. Application Architectures. The Challenges of Building Internet Applications. Using Cocoon to Meet the Challenges.
2. Building the Machine Web with XML.
HTML Applications. XML Arrives on the Scene. Extensible Style Sheet Language (XSL) and XSL Transformations (XSLT). Building XML Applications. Apache Cocoon. Summary.
3. Getting Started with Cocoon.
Prerequisites for Installing Cocoon. Step-by-Step Instructions. Obtaining a Newer Version of Cocoon. On We Go.
4. Putting Cocoon to Work.
Cocoon: The Big Picture. A Closer Look at the Sitemap. Getting Practical. Advanced Components and Examples. Summary.
5. Cocoon News Portal: Entry Version.
Which Data Sources? Designing the Layout. The Application Architecture. Putting It All Together. The Complete Entry Version.
6. A User's Look at the Cocoon Architecture.
The Cocoon Architecture in Detail. Advanced Sitemap Features. Using the Command-Line Interface. Practical Examples and Tips. Wrapping Up the User Perspective.
7. Cocoon News Portal: Extended Version.
Designing the Portal. Integrating Data Sources into the Portal. Building the Portal's Functionality. Closing the Portal.
8. A Developer's Look at the Cocoon Architecture.
The Avalon Component Model. SAX Event Handling. Cocoon Internals. Enough Theory.
9. Developing Components for Cocoon.
What Is Needed to Develop Cocoon Components. Sitemap Components. Advanced Components. Wrapping Up the Developer Perspective.
10. Cocoon News Portal: Advanced Version.
Extensible Server Pages (XSP). Extending the Extended Portal. Building the Portal with XSP. Adding New Features. Running the Portal. Conceiving and Designing a Cocoon Application.
11. Designing Cocoon Applications.
The Application Concept. Different Types of Applications. Summary.
12. Cocoon: Weaving the Future.
The Evolving Cocoon Architecture. Cocoon Usage Scenarios. Unraveling Cocoon.
Appendix A: Cocoon Components.
Common Components in cocoon.xconf.
Appendix B - Cocoon API Specifications.
Avalon Framework and LogKit. Cocoon. Sax.
Appendix C: Links on the Web.
Index.