XML and how to use it
April 17th, 2011XML (which stands for eXtensible Markup Language) refers to a set of rules for encoding documents into a form in which they can be read by machine. Essentially, it is a technology for managing the exchange of data. Several computer languages make use of XML. These include xhtml (a stricter form of html for designing websites); SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics, used for describing the elements of pictures); and Keyhole Markup Language (for displaying information on maps).
The exchange of data has been magnified in importance ever since the rise of the Internet.
For example, in addition to XML, the present computer age offers us get.wildblue.com/’ >get.wildblue.com, a site for high-speed Internet linked to your computer by satellite. Such connection is much faster than the older form of dial-up connection. Thanks to satellite internet and other advances, the technology for data exchange had to advance as well.
That’s why XML was developed, and it’s rapidly replacing its older counterpart, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), traditionally used by large organizations, over which it has such advantages as being self-describing, transformable, and future-oriented.
XML’s essential elements are a document containing code in XML; a schema describing that file’s structure and tags; and a stylesheet that contains formatting instructions.
Best practices in XML design
August 19th, 2011Experience gained through documentation and development of xml based systems are required for any xml designer’s success in making a great program. Design patterns which are used, are a good way to learn to transmit, and formalize, the knowledge you must have in order to deal with recurring problems and solutions which will come up when developing software.
XML patterns are not a recipe to success when it comes to developing software. Rather, they are a way for you to become familiar with the different styles, the problems which will pop Read the rest of this entry »
How you and your company can use XML
August 17th, 2011Programming languages have changed over time, but XML has remained popular since it was introduced. The companies that are utilizing this language have great success with separating data that is received.
XML stands for Extensible Markup Language. It makes sense to stream core business processes with XML because companies depend on data. Companies that use data must parse this data in ways that are useful. The XML language allows companies to attach labels to the data.
This is extremely important in things like websites where customers enter data. Tags for things like names and Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing an XML editor
August 3rd, 2011Most of us who venture into web page creation will come across the task of choosing an XML editor sooner or later. XML is a mark-up language which is used in the middle layer. Since it is platform independent, it is the preferred choice of programmers who like to maintain flexibility.
The main purpose of XML is to focus on documents and define the data that they contain; it has taken on the role of representation of “data structures”. This is an efficient way of storing and organizing data. Read the rest of this entry »
Whatever happened to DTD?
November 18th, 2010There was a time when Document Type Definition (DTD) was all the rage. It was created as a set of declarations alongside Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), and helped contribute to the development of that language, Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), and our very own Extensible Markup Language (XML). However, today DTD has been largely replaced by more modern schema languagesthe official XML Schema, RELAX NG, Schematron, ISO DSDL, and others. So what happened?It’s true that DTD has many benefits. For one, its age and inclusion in the XML 1.0 standard means that DTD declarations are supported across XML. DTD not only has less declarations than later languages, but also shorter ones, meaning it’s possible to see more language on a single screen. DTD allows for the declaration of SGML entity setsstrings associated with unique aliases or reserved words. Finally, namespaces weren’t around at the beginning of XML, so DTDs still define document types rather than namespace types. This means that all constraints are included in a single collection. Read the rest of this entry »
Layer 7 announces plans to free XML
October 7th, 2010Layer 7 is an international company working in “security, governance and connectivity solutions for SOA, Web and Cloud,” according to their web site. Part of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is the use of XML Gateways to establish and protect identity in different web services. Layer 7 has contributed to new XML technology in the past, such as with their XML Acceleration hardware. On October 5, they announced a new breakthrough: the first portable Freedom License, which will allow consumers to transfer their license between hardware, software, and other applications without cost. Read the rest of this entry »