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What is XML?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Nikos, Dec 10, 2003.

  1. Nikos

    Nikos Member

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    I have heard about this programming language -- but can someone tell me in simple words or simple description what it really does?
     
    #1 Nikos, Dec 10, 2003
  2. Surfguy

    Surfguy Member

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    Extensible Mark-up Language(XML)

    It's not a programming language but, rather, a syntactically well-formed language which defines and describes data. Imagine, if you will, the dilemma of passing data files between businesses who have a partnership to conduct some form of business together. This usually means data files being passed to and from the companies for processing within each of their own systems on a regular basis. Using XML, one can define the data in a structured, meaningful way that leaves no ambiguity if done correctly. Typically, XML is defined by an XML schema which defines the structure and semantics of the data within the XML document. The XML document must validate against this XML schema to be considered valid. Programming languages added support to work with XML as XML was adopted(e.g. reading and writing XML, searching for data in an XML document, etc.). Therefore, alot of systems out there now use XML as a standard means of passing data with third parties as it is the least expensive and easiest option to date to use. There's a lot to know about creating and working with XML. My knowledge is limited but I have worked with it and see it all the time because many software products support it's use now.

    Anyway, I'm sure there is someone else who knows more or probably can describe it better. I just thought I would throw something out there for you.
     
    #2 Surfguy, Dec 10, 2003
  3. droxford

    droxford Member

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    #3 droxford, Dec 10, 2003
  4. Surfguy

    Surfguy Member

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    Err...I mean...use a search engine. :D

    I even had a sample I typed up for you but I couldn't get it to post because of the html-like syntax. I'm sure there is a way around that problem that I'm not aware of. I have more technical things to worry about....like .NET programming...which can be a bear...lol.
     
    #4 Surfguy, Dec 10, 2003
  5. super_mario

    super_mario Member

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    It is pretty in vogue to send XML over HTTP as in the case of SOAP and web services. You can escape your XML with trigraphs.
     
    #5 super_mario, Dec 11, 2003
  6. keeley

    keeley Member

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    Surfguy,

    & lt; and & gt; (< and &gt) are your friends. I'll let you take the rest. :)
     
    #6 keeley, Dec 11, 2003
  7. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    What Surf said but ... XML is a bit more.

    XML will eventually replace HTML. The important difference between XML and HTML is that XML makes a clean break between content and presentation. Most browser can't grok XML now, but some can handle XHTML which is well formed HTML.
     
    #7 No Worries, Dec 11, 2003
  8. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    It's the size of my pants... means eXtra Manly Large.
     
    #8 rimrocker, Dec 11, 2003
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