The XML or Extensible Markup Language is often used for storage and transport of data or information. It is also similar to HTML but it is not focused on displaying data. XML can make the transport of data easier. Exchanging of data over the internet to other systems has been a problem because of compatibility issues. By using XML, data can be exchanged between different incompatible systems because it can be read by most applications. XML can simplify sharing of data. Different computers use programs and databases that are incompatible with the format. The XML stores data in a plain text format. This makes independent hardware and software data storing. Different applications can share data much easier. XML can make platform changes much easier. Hardware and software upgrading is time consuming since huge amount of data must be converted and other incompatible data are being lost. XML makes this easier because it is compatible to most applications. It makes your data more available and easier to use. This is because different applications can access your data. You can view your data using HTML and other applications. Another advantage is that XML can be used in creating new internet languages like XHTML and WSDL. It is used in hand-held device’s mark up language like WAP and WML. It is also used in languages for news feed like RSS and SMIL for describing web multimedia.
Here are some steps in making an XML document:
The XML documents forms a Tree Structure that starts with the roots and ends with the leaves. It must have a Root Element which means the start or the “Parent” of all the elements. The branches of the tree or the sub elements are called “Child” elements. The XML document is a simple syntax and self describing.
- The first line is declaring that it is an XML document, which defines the XML version and indicates the encoding used.
<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”ISO-8859-1″?>
- Then the next line is the root part or element which indicates that the document is a note.
<note>
- The next part is the child elements or the heading and the body of the document.
<to>Mark</to>
<from>Steve</from>
<heading>Reminder</heading>
<body>Do not forget the homework this weekend!</body>
- The last line defines the end of the root element.
</note>
The whole XML document will look like this.
<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”ISO-8859-1″?>
<to>Mark</to>
<from>Steve</from>
<heading>Reminder</heading>
<body>Do not forget the homework this weekend!</body>
</note>