XML Born
XML (Extensible Markup Language) 1.0 standard was published February 10, 1998.
XML was born from the shortcomings of SGML [Structured Generalized Markup Language] which
was hugely complex, massively flexible and just plain hard to work with for many developers.
XML has taken off because it has all the best of SGML without many of the weakness.
XML GoalXML took us beyond mere presentation of information and into the realm of representation
of information. This content is not just a mass of data to be rendered solely for viewing
on a web browser. Now the content could be structured and the meaning attached to this
structure could be transmitted as well.
HTML's difficulties:
1- HTML does not reveal anything about the information to which HTML tags are applied.
HTML tag names don't describe what content is, they only imply how content appears.
For example the html tag "Microsoft" appears on a web browser but HTML can not
tell is it a computer corporation? A Software? A Brand name?
2- Web applications relied too much on scripts at the server to process the data.
This makes the web slow and contributes to internet traffic.
3- You can't add new tags to HTML Language that are meaningful and useful.
4- HTML is a presentation technology only.
XML Success
The Java technology, enables browsers to function as generalized application platforms. The
result is True platform independence. XML provides information rich in metadata specified
in a standard format, XML and Java technology make it possible for more of an application's
work to be processed at a client side. This contrasts with the tendency of HTML pages to rely
on a script back at the server. With XML and Java technology, more client-based application
processing could reduce network and internet traffic, making the web faster.
XML challenges
Converting any information from a display format such as HTML, RTF, MIF, or PostScript to a
structured format like XML will require that you understand what your information really
contains. This requires a document analysis and the determination of information semantics on
which different parts of your enterprise rely. Many enterprises in different business sectors
have established industry standard information models that can be expressed in XML and, more
importantly, can be shared.
Once the relevant information models and their expressions in XML are constructed, the effort
to convert existing information into the XML format can proceed. It may or may not be painful,
depending on the condition of the existing documents. These efforts can be done in house, or they
can be completed with the help of qualified consultants.
XML Resources:
Easy XML is a simple XML editor that
aids in the rapid building of XML applications.
Microsoft XML for SQL Web allows you to query
database tables and receive the results as an XML document.
Microsoft XML Notepad is a simple HTML
prototyping application for building and editing small sets of XML-based data.
Microsoft XML Validation Tool checks that
an XML file is well formed.
XML Spy is a powerful XML editor.
XMetaL is an advanced, simple-to-deploy
XML authoring tool that delivers an unprecedented ease of use.
More XML Tools >>XML Free Tutorial:
A lot of free tutorial can be found on
Softlookup.com Free Online Tutorial
Click Here for Free XML Tutorial1- Introduction to XML
What is XML, and how does it differ from HTML?
How XML can be used
Some of the different ways XML can be used.
2-XML Syntax
The simple and very strict syntax rules of XML.
3-XML Elements
XML Elements, relationships, content and naming rules.
4-XML Attributes
How XML attributes can be used to describe elements, or to provide additional information about
elements.
5-XML Validation
The difference between a Well Formed and a Valid XML document and how a DTD is used to define
the XML document.
6-XML support in Netscape and Explorer
About the support for XML in the two most famous browsers.
7-Viewing XML in Internet Explorer
How to use Internet Explorer to view an XML file.
8-Displaying XML with CSS
How to use Internet Explorer and CSS to display an XML file.
9-Displaying XML with XSL
How to use Internet Explorer and XSL to display an XML file.
10-XML embedded in HTML
How to embed XML inside HTML documents.
11-The Microsoft XML Parser
How to use the Microsoft XML parser to open and manipulate XML documents.
12-XML in Real Life
This is where we take a look at some real life use of XML.
13-XML Namespaces
How to avoid element name conflicts using XML namespaces.
14-XML CDATA
How to tell an XML parser not to parse the text.
15-XML Encoding
How to encode your XML documents.
16-XML Server
How to generate XML on the server.
17-XML Applications
How you can use IE to navigate an XML file and how to create a complete XML application.
18-XML HTTP Requests
How to request XML from a server using HTTP.
19-Behaviors for HTML and XML
How the new CSS behavior selector can be used to create dynamic content.
20-XML Technologies
XML technologies that are important to the understanding and development of XML applications.
About the Author
Softlookup.com Your free online Resources for software and Hardware Drivers in addition
to Free online tutorial