Representing Web Data: XML

Representing Web Data: XML

XML: XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language, developed by W3C in 1996. XML 1.0 was officially adopted as a W3C recommendation in 1998. XML was designed to carry data, not to display data. XML is designed to be self-descriptive. XML is a subset of SGML that can define your own tags. A Meta Language and tags describe the content. XML Supports CSS, XSL, DOM.

The Difference between XML and HTML

1. HTML is about displaying information, where as XML is about carrying information. In other words, XML was created to structure, store, and transport information. HTML was designed to display the data.

2.  Using XML, we can create own tags where as in HTML it is not possible instead it offers several built in tags.

3. XML is platform independent neutral and language independent.

4. XML tags and attribute names are case sensitive where as in HTML it is not.

5.  XML attribute values must be single or double quoted where as in HTML it is not compulsory

6. XML elements must be properly nested

7. All XML elements must have a closing tag

8. XML is used to create new internet languages. Here are some examples:

-  WSDL for describing available web services

-  WAP and WML as markup languages for handheld devices

-  RSS languages for news feeds

-  RDF and OWL for describing resources and ontology

-  SMIL for describing multimedia for the web