Overview

XML would not exist if there were no Internet. Without the requirements of the open and diverse Internet community, the extensibility and standardization of XML would be wasted. Therefore, XML architecture must take the Internet into account: its topology, its philosophy, and its history.

In this chapter, we first take a look at the topology of so-called nonplanned settlements, which applies to the Internet. We argue that architects must, above all, be good communicators who facilitate mutual learning between the Net squatters.

Aside from that, there are a few common concepts that become more important in such an environment. Applications increasingly consist of collaborating but separate units, instead of being implemented as monolithic blocks. Soft logic, such as the formulation of business rules with XML, allows reconfiguring applications rapidly, and techniques derived from artificial intelligence allow the configuration in a more declarative way.

Finally, we look at some of the more common architectural patterns currently found on the Internet such as catalogues, workflow orchestration, repositories, and more.

A list of top-level best practices for XML architecture closes this chapter.

1.1 Megapolis Internet

This section first reports on the outcome of a trip to the Bauhaus but then moves quickly from African villages to communities on the Internet.