Download Management & Engineering Study on Data Handling Based in Virtual Exhibition

Management & Engineering 11 (2013) 1838-5745
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Management & Engineering
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Study on Data Handling Based in Virtual Exhibition
Weiling JIAO
School of Economic and Management, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, P.R.China
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Virtual exhibition,
Data handling,
Database system,
XML,
XSLT
With the rapid development of virtual exhibition, it is more and more urgent to handle and
manage exhibition data with a unified standard. Currently, researchers focus their attention on
data handling because a great deal of works in managing data has been done during the past
decades. Compares XML with HTML and SGML, it finds that XML is the most suitable one
as a way of handling and presenting data in internet. The paper then studies the application of
XML in virtual exhibition, such as design of XML based virtual exhibition database system,
an algorithm for XSL style-sheet generating and the implementation of exhibition information
retrieving and displaying. At last, it thinks that the application of data handling as well as its
security and standard will be very important in future research.
© ST. PLUM-BLOSSOM PRESS PTY LTD
1 Introduction
Due to disadvantages of the traditional physical meetings and exhibitions approaches such as restricted limited opening hours, limited
geographical reach, many different kinds of charges and time-consuming, they can not meet exhibitor’s requirements increasingly.
However, with great promising future, internet based virtual exhibition, which integrates high efficiency and popularity of the
internet as well as strong perception of VR (virtual reality) technology, could remedy the defects and bring new vital force for MICE
industry. In this case, as an extension of the traditional exhibition on the internet, virtual exhibition has developed rapidly both in
China and other countries worldwide, which leads to internet is riddled with large number of virtual exhibition[1].
There are two kinds of customers of virtual exhibition, one is exhibitor, who offers exhibits; the other is web browser, also called web
user, who is usually known as visitor in traditional exhibition. Exhibitors always want to take advantage of the platform, virtual
exhibition, to enlarge the scope of audience as much as possible, to release and spread their exhibits information openly as well as to
attract web users to their virtual stand. While visitors hope to retrieve and access virtual exhibits rapidly and efficiently as well as
share relating information with others through this platform. Therefore, to meet customers’ requirements, it is advisable for virtual
exhibition platform to have following functions: useful navigation system, classified information with strong logic relation [2] and
powerful information query system.
However, with the increasing numbers of virtual exhibition, there will inevitably be redundant even false information in the vast
amount of exhibition information, which results in a very poor efficiency of information retrieval. Moreover, due to different virtual
exhibitions are set up by different organizers, the following aspects are also different, such as display approach, metadata of exhibits,
information classification standard, and information query system and so on. On this condition, web users will be confused and have
no idea what to do but spending much time to understand and familiar with specified functions of different virtual exhibition each

Corresponding author.
English edition copyright © ST. PLUM-BLOSSOM PRESS PTY LTD
DOI:10.5503/J.ME.2013.11.010
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time. As a result, it is impossible for virtual exhibition to realize its original intention as follows: exhibition information spreading
more widely and user accessing to exhibits information more easily.
To resolve these problems, it is urgent for virtual exhibition organizers to build up a unified standard concerning information and data
handling and management of virtual exhibition and exhibits. During the pasts decades, a great deal of works on managing data have
been done and have made a lot of achievements, such as usage of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) in E-commerce. Therefore,
researchers of virtual exhibition currently focus their attention on data handling [3], including information release, retrieval and
display and so on based on exhibits. Moreover, how to improve the efficiency of data processing of virtual exhibition? We need a
unified standard from data collection, classification, indexing, storage, retrieval, processing, and transformation to transmission.
This paper is then organized as follows: based on comparison of HTML, SGML and XML, three kinds of markup language, section 2
comes to conclusion that XML is the most suitable way of handling and presenting data on the internet. Section 3 then studies the
application of XML in virtual exhibition. Future research work is prospected in section 4 and section 5 is a summary of the paper.
2 Comparisons of HTML, SGML and XML
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is one kind of markup languages used to mark the electronic file to make it has logical structure.
When data or information are described or stored in the form of XML, they will be queried, extracted, displayed, conversed and
searched very easily [4]. XML is only used to display data in web at first [5], and then it is used more widely and has won the approval
of whole world gradually, including efficient data switching, data display, data query and so on [6].
2.1 Comparison of XML and HTML
The differences of design distinction between XML and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) are as follows: XML is used to store
data, focusing on the data itself; while HTML is used to define data, paying more attention to data display mode [7].
2.2 Comparison of XML and SGML
With respect to the multimedia creation, SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) is as useful as XML in data classification
and data indexing. Moreover, due to its normalization, independent character and excellent scalability, SGML seems to have stronger
function. However, in terms of usage over web, SGML is relatively more complex and expensive as well as it is not supported by
main browser manufacturers in worldwide, which leads to that it has been greatly hindered in the web usage [8].
Compared with SGML, XML is simpler as it redefined some internal value and parameters of SGML as well as got rid of a lot of
complex functions and arbitrary grammars rarely used but making SGML complex in web design [9]. Moreover, XML does not
depend on a specific browser. It provides a uniform method to describe and exchange structured data independent of application
program and supplier, which makes it relatively easier to exchange information between different databases and platforms [10]. Based
on above advantages, XML has been the only common language of data exchange soon so that it is accepted by different application
programs and software, which leads to web users can load XML data into the their programs and output the result in the form of
XML format after analysis.
Through the above comparison, we can see that XML is the most suitable way of handling and presenting data in web environment,
because XML is relatively simpler and easier; aims at data storage, release and display; features in independent platform; is
supported by different application programs and software as well.
3 Usage of XML in Virtual Exhibition
3.1 Design of database system of virtual exhibition
The following entity relationship diagram [11] (Figure 1) shows us the whole framework of exhibition, from which we can clearly see
the whole organizational framework and logic relation between different participant. With the help of IT staff, the administrators and
staff of exhibition organizer can carry out exhibition as follows: one is traditional exhibition, which organize visitors to visit exhibits
at the site; another one is virtual exhibition, which offers a platform on the internet and shows browsers their exhibits. Today, virtual
exhibition has been a vital part of the whole exhibition system, which consists of exhibition based on internet, exhibitors, virtual
exhibits, and database management system as well as web browsers. Database management system is the most important part
because database is the best choice to be a system automatically organize, store and manage data and information together with
corresponding dynamic characteristics, such as shape, color, texture, owner and so on of massive exhibits.
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Figure 1 Overall Framework of Exhibition System
Exhibition Organizer
Related Personnel
Technical Personnel
Exhibitor
Staff
Administrator
Web Browser
Exhibit
Virtual Exhibition
Database Management System
Exhibition
Exhibit Information
Location
Reference Number
Visitor
Traditional Exhibition
File
Model
Image
Audio
From Figure 1, we can also see exhibitors providing their exhibits and relating materials to exhibition organizer, whose
administrators and staff will then assist IT staff to process the data and information of these exhibits, which will be stored into the
database management system. In addition to store exhibits data and information, such as exhibits location, reference number, 2D and
3D model, image, flash file, audio and video file and so on, the database management system also provides powerful function of data
mining and analysis, including data indexing, sorting, searching, consistency and so on, thus making sure the virtual exhibition can
be able to respond to information query demand of users quickly and meet users’ requirements efficiently.
In terms of study on data handling, the database management system focus on how to search and display right data and information
quickly and efficiently according to users’ instruction on information query demand. As stated above, XML is the most suitable way
of handling and presenting data over web, the paper aims at handling and presenting data of virtual exhibition by making good use of
proprietary software, which are free to public, based on using Java technology, i.e. J2SE, J2EE, XML and other web technology[12].
In this case, we give a design concerning the database management system of virtual exhibition, showed as Figure 2, from which we
can have a definite understanding about the operating condition of the system.
Figure 2 Database Management System of Virtual Exhibition
Virtual Exhibition Server Side
Client Side
Send HTTP
Request
Soap
Java Servlet / JSP
Soap Service
Start
Soap Container
(AXIS)
T
ra
n
sf
er
w
sd
l
to
Ja
v
a
Internet
Apache
Start
Transmit
Result
Web Container
(Tomcat)
HTML
Webpage
XSL
Stylesheet
XML File
SQL Query
Start
SQL
Service
JDBC
PC
Web Browser
Web Service
Virtual Exhibition Program
DBMS
In this system, when the user sends a HTTP request through the web browser on the client side, web service (Apache) accepts the
request and start the web container (Tomcat) and soap container (AXIS). Web container (Tomcat) then start JSP (Java Server Pages)
and virtual exhibition program to handle with data of HTML on the virtual exhibition server side. Firstly, the system has to transfer
users’ query instruction into SQL query instruction by XSL stylesheet so that the instruction can be input into DBMS (Database
Management System) to start data and information query by means of JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). When the system gets
required results, it reuses XSL stylesheet to transfer those data and information into XML file and then transmits them to web
browser so as to be read by the user with the help of JSP.
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3.2 Algorithm for generation of XSL stylesheet
Obviously, XSL stylesheet acts as an important role during the whole process of data processing, and only with its help the system
can transfer XQuery into SQL query instruction and then transfer the query result into XML file. In this case, the generation of XSL
stylesheet is vital for data and information processing of entire virtual exhibition. In reference to experience of some successful
virtual exhibition and according to effect of XSL stylesheet, it is suggested the following algorithm for generation of XSL stylesheet,
as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 Algorithm for generation of XSL stylesheet
………………
1 perform XSL stylesheet transformation
2 if transformation is done
2.1 XSL templates start from the root node of DOM tree
2.2 If the root node has parent/child node
2.2.1 the XSL stylesheet template will walk and matches nodes, it the template matches IN node in
DOM tree nodes
2.2.2 the XSL template adds FROM clauses to the new template and mapped the root node of
DOM to the new template in new XSL stylesheet
2.2.3 the XSL stylesheet that pulls the nodes from DOM tree and places it with formatting, into a
new XSL stylesheet
2.2.4 the XSL stylesheet template walks through the DOM tree nodes and when the template
matches RETURN
2.2.5 the XSL template will add the SELECT clauses to the template
2.2.6 map the parent/child of DOM tree as new template to the new XSL stylesheet
2.2.7 iterate and walk through the DOM tree nodes and when the XSL template matches nodes
has name WHERE or IF or Else clause
2.2.8 set the WHERE clauses as a new template into the new XSL stylesheet
2.2.9 When all the templates have been executed and placed in the output
2.2.10 then the new template will be a generic XSL stylesheet
2.3 report no parent/child node and terminate
3 report transformation errors and terminate
………………
3.3 Implementation of information retrieval and display
In this suggested virtual exhibition database management system, it is very convenient for users to search information they want. The
system can start matching search as soon as users input their objective information on the client side and then display the result
information. The implementation process is shown as Figure 4.
Figure 4 Flow Chart of Information Retrieve and Display of Virtual Exhibition
Internet
XML
Original File
HTTP
Send
XSLT
Template
Start
Request
X Query
Web
Service
(Apache)
Web
Browser
Web
Container
(Tomcat)
Virtual
Exhibition
Program
(Servlet)
Java Servlet
XSLT
Transformer
Transfer Data
To Be SQL Trans
Xsl JDBC
DBMS
SQL
Service
Transfer
Show
Java Servlet
Query
Result
JSP
Send SQL to XSL
Transfered
XML File
The next example is used to illustrate the implementation process of information retrieval and display of virtual exhibition
information. The task is that the user wants to retrieve and browse all the books exhibited with price over 300$. The fist step for the
user is to send a HTTP request to web service on the client side. Web service then sends XQuery for $i in doc ("books.xml")/books
exhibition/book
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where $i/price > 300
return $i/title
to web container. The second step is as follows: web container starts virtual exhibition program, with the help of XSL stylesheet
(XQuery to SQLTran.xsl), Java Servlet transfers HTTP request into SQL query instruction through XSLT [13]. The third step is that
system transfers the finished SQL query instruction into DBMS by connecting DBMS server by means of JDBC. The forth step is
Java servlet retrieves information according to SQL query instruction in DBMS. The fifth step is that system transfers SQL
information found into XML file by XSLT. The last step is Java servlet/JSP transmits XML file to web service and the web service
transmits the result to web browser to display for the user to browser as follows:
Books prices >300 information
Category
Title
Author
Year Price
CHILDREN
Harry Potter
J K. Rowling
2005 329.99
WEB
Learning XML Erik T. Ray
2003 339.95
4 Future Works on Data Handling of Virtual Exhibition
4.1 Study on application of data handling technology in virtual exhibition
Customers of virtual exhibition in different circles have different requirements for information release, retrieval and display so that
their requirements for information and data processing are also different. In this case, one of the main future works on data handling
of virtual exhibition is application research on information processing technology of virtual exhibition in different fields, including
application in those nonprofit virtual exhibitions for the public sponsored by cultural institutions as well as application in those profit
virtual exhibitions for enterprises and individuals held by commercial institutions.
The natures of exhibits make a stronger impact on data and information processing. For example, data processing method and
process is not the same for the museum collections, archaeological sites, intangible cultural heritage in spite of they are all belonging
to virtual exhibitions provided to the public by cultural institutions [14]. While in those commercial virtual exhibition, data handling
seems more complex due to diversification and technology characteristics of the commodities [15, 16].
4.2 Study on data handling standardization of virtual exhibition
Virtual exhibitions usually release information through internet so that many exhibition centers give full consideration to information
publishing and retrieval in view of the current situation. They have adopted relevant countermeasures as well as provide advanced
search tools. However, different exhibition has different means to release its information because each exhibition uses its own index
system when handling with exhibits information, such as the exhibition time, the exhibition venue and exhibits and so on, which lead
to confusion to the users when they are retrieve information.
In addition to information release and retrieval, information coordination between exhibitors and web browsers is also key point of
virtual exhibition, which has not been defined yet. In this case, it is more and more urgent to consider the requirement for using same
criteria when handling with data information, which is one of the most important problems to be solved in the future.
It is suggested that exhibition center strengthen cooperation and study so as to develop a unified standard about exhibits data and
information processing as soon as possible. Based on this, users can retrieve information on the internet easily. Another merit is that
the information can be reused in the next exhibition or other exhibitions, which result in further dissemination of exhibits information.
Thus the virtual exhibition resources of each exhibition center can be obtained more easily in a broader range.
4.3 Study on data handling security of virtual exhibition
Implementation of virtual exhibitions depends on computer and web technology, therefore, it is inevitable for virtual exhibition
considering the problem of information security due to the characteristics of computer network information, such as global, open,
spreading, sharing and dynamic and so on, which result in various security threats, including information disclosure, tampering, theft,
abuse and destruction as well, faced by exhibition information.
In this case, information security management is also an important research direction for data and information processing of virtual
exhibition, including usage of a proxy server, establishment of recovery mechanism and implementation of reliable transmission.
5 Conclusion
Customers of virtual exhibition put forward a very high request for data and information processing of virtual exhibition because it
integrates high efficiency and popularity of the internet, strong perception of VR technology, information centrality and distribution
of traditional exhibition.
Through comparison, we find XML is the most suitable means to process and display data in web environment. In this case, we
design a virtual exhibition database system by using proprietary software available free to the public based on Java technology (J2SE,
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J2EE), XML and other web technology; provide an algorithm for generation of XSL stylesheet; explore the implementation of
information retrieval and display in virtual exhibition based on this algorithm as well.
There will definitely be new function for virtual exhibition in the future, while at the same time, customers’ requirements for data and
information processing will also be higher and higher. In terms of data handling of virtual exhibition, this paper has only carried on
the preliminary discussion from a theoretical point of view; therefore, we will continue to carry out practice and theory research in
this area, especially strengthening study in application of data handling technology, data and information processing standardization
and security of virtual exhibition in different circles.
Acknowledgment:
Sponsored by Education Department of Jiangsu Province, P.R.C. from June 2012, Project No. 2012SJB630065
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