LibraryNewsletter Archive

Below is the text of the Altova Developer Connection Newsletter for September 2009

In This Month's Issue:

Altova Online Training – Introduction to XMLSpy Added to Course Offerings

XBRL Glossary – A List of Technical Terms for the XBRL Specification

Technical Brief – Altova MissionKit: SOA & Cloud Services within Your Budget

Tech Note – Adding Z-Segments to HL7 Mapping Components Using Altova MapForce

Altova Online Training – Introduction to XMLSpy Added to Course Offerings

We have just launched the first module in the XMLSpy online training course. This beginner level module provides users with an introduction to XML and the XMLSpy XML editor.

The course begins with an overview of XML and a review of some basic concepts, as well as the anatomy of XML documents and schemas. After a brief tour of the XMLSpy interface, users will create an XML Schema and walk through the steps of defining a namespace, creating a content model, adding elements, configuring schema views, and generating sample XML files and schema documentation. Users will then learn how to create an XML document based on the schema, as well as enter data in grid and text views, perform well-formedness and validity checks, add new elements, and modify the schema while working on the XML document.

Like our MapForce, StyleVision, and XBRL training modules, the new XMLSpy module is available on-demand and at no cost. To check out the new XMLSpy training module, or view a complete list of training topics now available visit the Altova Online Training page: http://www.altova.com/aot/online-training.aspx

XBRL Glossary – A List of Technical Terms for the XBRL Specification

Whether you are just starting to learn about XBRL or need a point of reference as you navigate your way through the specification, the Altova XBRL Glossary provides a comprehensive list of the technical terms that are used in describing XBRL instance documents, XBRL taxonomies, and the XBRL specification in general.

Check out the Altova XBRL glossary here: http://www.altova.com/xbrl-glossary.html

Technical Brief – Altova MissionKit: SOA & Cloud Services within Your Budget

The hardships affecting today's economy present new challenges for organizations. Costly enterprise software and mainframe computing systems that once held promise are being reconsidered on a global scale in favor of more agile, component-based systems that cut costs and increase efficiency with forward-thinking concepts like Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) and cloud computing.

These architectural concepts incorporate modern technologies and object-oriented approaches to solve real-world technology issues in complex environments while decreasing maintenance, integration, and deployment costs with modular design and component re-use.

The Altova MissionKit is uniquely suited to address this shift toward more flexible and lightweight infrastructure. With strong support for XML, UML, databases, and data integration technologies, the MissionKit offers developers, software architects, and IT users all of the tools they need to build flexible and powerful technology solutions and efficiencies that advance component-based service-oriented infrastructure without breaking the budget.

Read this technical brief in its entirety here: http://www.altova.com/soa_cloud.html

Or download a 30-day trial of the MissionKit now: http://www.altova.com/download.html

Tech Note – Adding Z-Segments to HL7 Mapping Components Using Altova MapForce

When mapping HL7 EDI components, it is often necessary to add locally-defined information, or z-segments, to accommodate additional fields not included in the standard.

In this latest Tech Note, we provide a simple walkthrough that will demonstrate how to add z-segments to the HL7 configuration files that are available as a free download with MapForce 2009. In this Tech Note example, you will learn how to add a ZLR segment to an HL7 2.3 Observation Results Unsolicited (ORU) message. The ZLR segment is commonly used for adding information for legacy laboratory-based reporting.

To access this Tech Note featuring Altova MapForce go to: http://www.altova.com/technote19.html

For more information about mapping and converting HL7 and other EDI formats, please visit the MapForce feature pages: http://www.altova.com/mapforce/edi-mapping.html , or try it for yourself by downloading a 30-day trial of MapForce here: http://www.altova.com/download.html