Why do we need xml

Plus, when you're familiar with basic XML syntax, you'll learn how human-readable the file really is. XML allows you to build your platform by segmenting the design process. Data sits on one page, and formatting rules stay on another. If you have a general idea of what information you need to produce, you can write the data page first then work on the design. XML allows you to produce the site in stages and stay organized in the process. With XML you compartmentalize your work.

Separating data makes it accessible when changes are needed. If you write both segments in HTML , you create sections that incorporate the formatting instructions with the information you need to display on the page. When the time comes to change an inventory record or update your details, you must wade through all the code to find a few lines.

With XML, separating data makes changes easy and time-saving. XML is an international standard so anyone in the world can view your document.

Whether you search for visitors in Alabama or Timbuktu, chances are they can to access the page. XML puts the world in your virtual backyard.

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While using W3Schools, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use , cookie and privacy policy. Copyright by Refsnes Data. XML 1. Beyond XML 1. XLink describes a standard way to add hyperlinks to an XML file. XPointer is a syntax in development for pointing to parts of an XML document.

XSL is the advanced language for expressing style sheets. It is based on XSLT , a transformation language used for rearranging, adding and deleting tags and attributes. There are several more modules and tools available or under development. Keep an eye on W3C's technical reports page. Development of XML started in and it has been a W3C Recommendation since February , which may make you suspect that this is rather immature technology.

In fact, the technology isn't very new. The development of HTML started in Some evolutions, however, are hard to distinguish from revolutions For example: Let's say that your company invests in great sales and marketing collateral for the Web, and you decide that it would be great to also publish the collateral to mobile environments—and in some cases—print.

Mountains of electronic market and sales collateral needs to be recreated in multiple formats. You may want to publish to the Web, to BlackBerries, in PDF format, inprinted brochures, and when you've got all of those covered, a new and unforeseen format is likely to sneak up on you.

Does your business have an iPad app yet? Creating the same information in multiple different formats is lots of extra work; using XML radically simplifies the process. Managing information efficiently is notoriously difficult to do, and small businesses are no different than large enterprises; finding and managing information is a persistent a challenge.

Even small businesses end up with a plethora of files and formats that are not only difficult to access, but equally difficult to reuse; XML is one big step towards correcting that situation. Your IT operation needs to be aligned not only with your tactical business needs today, but also with the long-term strategy and direction you want to take your business. Over time, your electronic information could become your most valuable asset.

My advice is to take it seriously from the start.