- XML is a software and hardware independent tool for carrying information
- XML stands for Extensible Markup Language
- XML is a markup language similar to HTML, but is not a replacement for HTML
- XML is designed to carry data, not to display data.
- XML is designed to be self-descriptive
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a flexible way to create common information formats, and share both the format and the data on the internet, intranets, and elsewhere. XML can be used by any individual or groups that want to share information in a consistent way.
Differences between XML and HTML
XML = Carries Information
- Transports and stores data
- Focuses on what the data is
- Extensible: Markup symbols are unlimited and self-defining
- XML file can be processed purely as data by a program, or it can be stored with similar data on another computer, or like an HTML file, can show how it can be displayed.
- Ex: The word “phonenum” placed within markup tags could indicate that the data that followed was a phone number depending on how the application in the receiving computer wanted to handle the phone number. The number could be stored, displayed, or dialed.
HTML = Displays Information
- Displays data
- Focuses on how the data looks
- Ex: The letter “p” placed within markup tags starts a new paragraph
XML is growing in popularity and importance as a tool for data transmissions between applications, and as an area of storing and describing information.
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