SGML on the Web: A Tale of Two Sites

Businesses and organizations are increasingly finding that HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) offers no help whatsoever in managing the information on their web sites. SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) provides the flexibility and reuse lacking in HTML. However, SGML alone does not address the problems involved in maintaining on-line document repositories. Although traditional database management systems are clumsy at managing hyperlinked documents, a system combining SGML, database technology, and the protocols of the Web can provide a reasonably robust environment for developing and maintaining a web site. Two possible site designs employing SGML are discussed and evaluated with respect to a set of design objectives and choices. List of Acronyms Used CGI Common Gateway Interface DTD Document Type Definition HTML Hyper-Text Markup Language HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol HyTime Hyper-media Time-based Structuring Language MCF Meta Content Framework NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology SGML Standard Generalized Markup Language SQL Structured Query Language STEP Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data URL Universal Resource Locator XML Extensible Markup Language