XML is a markup language similiar to HTML derived from SGML. XML
stands for eXtensible Markup Language. Although it is a very simple
language, it has strict rules (unlike HTML). The thing that is
confused most is that XML does not do anything. Unlike HTML, XML
emphasizes the data that it contains, not how the data will be
displayed. In XML, there are no predefined tags such as <table> or
<font>. This is why it is "extensible." You must make your own tags
and a application must already know what each tag stands for. This
allows for any application to use the language for whatever means. The
benefits of this is that for one thing, a programmer doesn't have to
take the time to design the syntax for a new scripting language, or a
new communication language, or a new database, etc. And for another
thing, it will already be a familiar language for a lot of people
which means less time learning syntax and more time learning the tags
and attributes. Think of it as a global guideline that is already
familiar and easy to use by both the user and the application.
Now where all this ties in with HTML is that you can embed XML into a
HTML document. This is useful if you want to supply extended
information to whatever may need it such as a JavaScript or some kind
of web application. XML can also be used outside of HTML for such
things as a RSS feed or a WML website (for wireless devices such as
mobile phones).
To learn more about XML, I would consider reading this tutorial:
http://www.w3schools.com/xml/ |