XML

XML is steered to make the data controlling easy and straightforward when integrated for use on the Web. With the combination of XML into existing and new IT developments, it becomes easy to define various documents and their types. But XML is always intended to keep data separated from your HTML. It is important to learn that XML is used to share, exchange, store and carry data.

• XML keeps data separated from HTML
  The XML was designed to describe data and to focus on what the data actually is. HTML, on the other hand, was designed to display content and to focus on how the content looks. XML is about describing information. HTML is still used to format and display data.
  
  
• XML can be used to store data inside HTML documents
  XML data can be stored inside HTML pages as "Data Islands". As HTML provides a way to format and display your data, XML stores data inside the HTML documents. The data contained in an XML file is of little value unless it can be displayed and HTML files are used for that purpose.
  
  
• XML can be used as a format to exchange information
  In the real world, computer systems and databases contain data in incompatible formats. It is very time-consuming for the developers to exchange data between such systems over the internet. But XML's powerful linking mechanisms allow you to link to material without requiring the link target to be physically present in the object.
  
  
• XML can be used to share data
  XML can also be used to share data with plain text files. The main benefit of XML is that you can take data from a program like MSSQL (Microsoft SQL), convert it into XML, then share that XML with other programs, platforms, etc. Each of these receiving platforms can then convert the XML into a structure the platform uses normally and thus you can communicate between two potentially very different platforms.

Summary

In this chapter you have learnt: About XML’s interaction with the data. How XML is used to share information and exchange information? How XML stores the data inside HTML ?

Review Questions

Fill in the Blanks XML data can be stored inside HTML pages as ---------. XML uses --------- documents to display data. XML can also be used to share data with ------- files.   Solutions Data Islands HTML plain text

What's Next

The next chapter will acquaint you with the basic characteristics of an XML document. The chapter will further elucidate various parts of an XML document.                 Hop over to the next chapter to get an XML document's close-up.

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