Purpose of xml

[Paulson]

Hi guys

I got a simple doubt.What is the main purpose of Xml?
Pls tell.

Thanks in advance bye Paulson.

[dip_developer]

Hi guys

I got a simple doubt.What is the main purpose of Xml?
Pls tell.

Thanks in advance bye Paulson.

data exchange between systems is a critical job as you know thousands of different systems are connected in the world of internet.All formats of data are not supported in all these machines......so a human understandable(as well as machine understandable) simple format of data transfer was needed across different systems....

primary purpose of XML is to facilitate the sharing of data across different information systems, particularly via the Internet.

[Paulson]

data exchange between systems is a critical job as you know thousands of different systems are connected in the world of internet.All formats of data are not supported in all these machines......so a human understandable(as well as machine understandable) simple format of data transfer was needed across different systems....

primary purpose of XML is to facilitate the sharing of data across different information systems, particularly via the Internet.

Hi Dip

Ok I understand that much,but let me ask you this is possible thru databases,ok if all systems do not support browsers at least thru html isn't it possible?My doubt may seem stupid but pls dont feel bad.I just need to get the real meaning.Anyway thanks for your reply.

Thanks in advance bye Paulson

[kenobewan]

Please rephrase your question clearly. Thanks.

[Frinavale]

Hi Dip

Ok I understand that much,but let me ask you this is possible thru databases,ok if all systems do not support browsers at least thru html isn't it possible?My doubt may seem stupid but pls dont feel bad.I just need to get the real meaning.Anyway thanks for your reply.

Thanks in advance bye Paulson

HTML is a mark up language that is used to identify what should be displayed in web browsers and how.

XML is a mark up language that allows you define your own mark up schema in order to define classes (mostly) that can be used by programs written in any language.

For instance.

You may write up an XML Schema that describes a Person.
This Schema is like a blueprint, or shell, or design that describes what makes up a Person.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<xs:schema>
 
<xs:element name="Person">
    <xs:complexType>
      <xs:sequence>
    <xs:element name="eyeColour" type="xs:string"/>
    <xs:element name="height" type="xs:string"/>
    <xs:element name="favoriteActivities" >
        <xs:cpmplexType>
                <xs:element name="activity" type="xs:string" maxOccurs="10" minOccurs="0" />
            </xs:complexType>
      </xs:sequence>
    </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>
 
</xs:schema>
 

Based on that Schema you may create a XML file that describes a Person:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
 
<note xmlns="http://www.myNamespace.com"
xmlns:xsi="..."
xsi:schemaLocation="hhttp://www.hypothetical/locationOfXmlSchema person.xsd">
 
<person>
    <eyeColour> blue </eyeColour>
    <height> 5' 6" </height>
     <favoriteActivities>
         <activity> music </activity>
         <activity> swimming </activity>
    </favoriteActivities>
</person>
 

Now since you've created an XML Schema that describes the Person you know how the information pertaining to that Person is layed out. You can now parse through the elements and grab the information to use it in your program.

Since XML is not specific to any language, its universal. This means that an XML file describing a Person can be passed form a Java program to a C# program. Based on the Schema you know how to parse the XML file to get the information from them.

HTML is used by web browsers to relay information to humans. XML is used by programs to relay information to other programs.

For more information on XML and Schemas (along with DTD's and much more) you should check out W3C on XML.

Cheers!

-Frinny