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What is XML?

XML, which stands for eXtensible Markup Language, is a markup language much like HTML. It was designed to carry data, with a focus on what data is. XML uses a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. It is a versatile and widely-used format for data serialization and exchange between systems.

Features of XML

• Human-readable: Like HTML, XML is readable by humans, with a clear, text-based structure consisting of nested elements.
• Machine-readable: XML is also designed to be processed by machines. It is a tagged structure, where each piece of data is encapsulated in elements with descriptive tags.
• Extensible: XML is not a fixed format like HTML. You define your own tags, designed specifically for your needs.
• Self-descriptive: XML data is self-descriptive. The structure of the generated XML document is described in its tags, making it easier to understand the hierarchy and type of data contained.
• Platform-independent: XML is a platform-independent format, which makes it ideal for data interchange between different systems and applications.

Applications of XML

XML is used in various applications where data needs to be shared across different systems, including:

• Web Services: XML is extensively used in web services (like SOAP) for data exchange between platforms.
• Configuration Files: Many applications use XML to store configuration settings, making it easy to read and modify.
• RSS Feeds: XML is the foundation of RSS feeds, which provide updates about changes in content from a website.
• Document Formats: Formats such as DOCX and ODT use XML to structure documents.