What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

• HTML
• JavaScript

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

What is XML?

• XML stands for EXtensible Markup Language
• XML is a markup language much like HTML
• XML was designed to carry data, not to display data
• XML tags are not predefined. You must define your own tags
• XML is designed to be self-descriptive
• XML is a W3C Recommendation

The Difference Between XML and HTML

XML is not a replacement for HTML.

XML and HTML were designed with different goals:

• XML was designed to transport and store data, with focus on what data is.
• HTML was designed to display data, with focus on how data looks.

HTML is about displaying information, while XML is about carrying information.

XML Does not DO Anything

Maybe it is a little hard to understand, but XML does not DO anything. XML was created to structure, store, and transport information.

For more on XML CLICK here