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XML Primer

XML - EXtensible Markup Language

XML is a cross-platform, software and hardware independent tool for storing and transmitting information.

XML Document Example

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<note>
    <to>Tove</to>
    <from>Jani</from>
    <heading>Reminder</heading>
    <body>Don't forget me this weekend!</body>
</note>


What is XML?

  • XML stands for EXtensible Markup Language
  • XML is a markup language much like HTML
  • XML was designed to carry and store data, not to display data
  • XML tags are not predefined. You must define your own tags
  • XML is designed to be self-descriptive
  • XML is a W3C Recommendation

XML Doesn't DO Anything

XML was not designed to DO anything. XML was created to structure, store and carry information.

The XML document example above is a note, to Tove from Jani, written in XML. The note has a heading and a message body. It also has to and from information. But still, this XML document does not DO anything. It is just pure information wrapped in XML tags. Someone must write a piece of software to send, receive or display it:

MESSAGE

To: Tove
From: Jani

Don't forget me this weekend!

XML Tags are NOT Predefined

XML tags are not predefined. You must "invent" your own tags.

The tags used to mark up HTML documents are predefined, the author of HTML documents can only use tags that are defined in the HTML standard (like <p>, <h1>, etc.).

XML allows the author to define his/her own tags and his/her own document structure.

The tags in the example above (like <to> and <from>) are not defined in any XML standard. These tags are "invented" by the author of the XML document.

View an XML CD catalog
View an XML Plant catalog
View an XML Food menu

How to Learn XML?

Study our Complete XML Tutorial


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