What is XML

Definition of XML

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a markup language designed to store and transport data in a structured and human-readable format. Unlike HTML, XML is not used for displaying data but for organizing and exchanging data between systems.

Key Features of XML

• Platform-Independent: XML is designed to be compatible with any operating system or application.
• Self-Descriptive: XML documents contain metadata describing the data structure.
• Customizable Tags: Users can create their own tags to define data elements.

How is XML Used?

XML is widely used for:

• Data Storage: Storing data in a structured format for easy retrieval.
• Data Exchange: Sharing data between different applications and platforms.
• Configuration Files: Defining settings and parameters for applications.
• Web Services: Serving as a foundation for protocols like SOAP and REST.

Benefits of XML

Some of the main advantages of using XML include:

• Easy to read and understand for both humans and machines.
• Highly flexible and extensible for various use cases.
• Interoperable across different systems and platforms.