XML for Dummies

Jan.30, 2010 in Computers

For those seeking a document format that makes data exchange on the Web easy, then it’s time to explore XML, or Extensible Markup Language. Software of many varieties are already using XML to optimize data organization and presentation.

It’s easy to determine that it is the flexibility of XML that explains its great appeal to web developers. Due the structure of the markup language, data exchange is possible in many different forms. Data access within XML is easier, as well, than it is with it’s sister markup language, HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language. Consider that XML programming has the capability to display one web page in either a mobile or regular format, depending on the user. Developers then could make one page instead of two. The ease and efficiency of XML should be becoming more clear.

Those who want to learn more about XML are well served by prior experience with HTML, though it isn’t necessary to become proficient. The two do go hand-in-hand in many respects, since they are both descendents of SGML, another markup language. The purpose of a markup language is to organize, categorize, or otherwise label content, and the markup describes the organization. Markup contains content, which is what you see when you look at an XML document.

The need for XML emerged when the limitations of HTML became clear. HTML does not allow for new markup elements to be devised by users. With a need for greater flexibility, XML evolved to meet the needs of document and data handling in a web environment.

This is just a primer for understanding what XML is, and why it might be useful for you. For those who wish to make the most of web development, it’s a great idea to put learning XML on your list of things to do.