What is XML?
April 3, 2008XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language and was approved by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in February 1998.
XML is not really a new language, it’s a meta-language. It is used to define other languages.
XML creates documents that are well structured and as a result all languages based on XML are also well structured. What this means is that the data in XML is more easily used.
So, XML is the foundation for a whole new way of communicating across the Internet, because it enables businesses and their computer systems to communicate more easily.
XML is used to create other markup languages
XML is used to create many other markup languages. One of the best known is XSL. XSL is made out of XML. The relationship between XML and XSL is very important. If XML is the raw data, XSL is used to change that raw data into a usable format of data.
For example XSL may be used to put color into the XML, or to change the XML into something else.
The development of the XML standard is guided by the W3C.
Who is the W3C? (WorldWide Web Consortium)
The W3C was founded in October 1994. Its goal is to develop common protocols through an "international industry consortium". http://www.w3.org
At the W3C, you can find:
- a repository of information about the WWW for developers and users
- reference code implementations for the various standards
- various prototype and sample applications to demonstrate use of new technology being fostered at the W3C
The W3C is a collection of interested parties that meet to thrash out various new Internet technologies. Their process is quite substantial and inclusive and results in a consensus decision (although their are stories on the web of strong-arming within the working groups), however the end result does carry substantial momentum.
How do you work with the W3C?
First someone (a group, a company, a person) makes a note submission on a technology or technical issue to the W3C. After a LOT of discussion and consulting, a draft proposal is created. With luck and hard work, a recommendation may be achieved. At this time, the technology is considered ready for widespread industry use.
Notes
A Note is just an idea - there is no commitment to following up on the Note.
Working Drafts
This is a work in progress - a group within the W3C is actively working on this.
Proposed Recommendations
Some consensus has been achieved within the work group. It has gone up for review.
Recommendations
The idea which started as a Note has now become ‘official’. According to the W3C, this technology is ready for use.
What the W3C is not
What the W3C is not, is a "policeperson". They do not enforce the agreements made or the technologies designed. Each of the parties involved can (and sometimes do) "extend" or "improve" upon the designs
Read more
To see some of the activities and projects within the W3C, go to http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Activities
