BIB: XML Introduction

XML allows the creation of arbitrary tags. The power of XML is that it can marry the form of the tag to the content of the document. It also allows you to specify the style for a tag so its display is consistent. While HTML can perform the styling function with CSS, XML allows not only the display but a description of the content allowing database like tools to be used on the document and searches to be run more effectively.

One important XML application is ecommerce. If a new standard is applied across the internet then it would be possible for a website to post its product prices like so <USdollars>5.00</USdollars> <EUeuro>3.50</EUeuro> A visitor's browser if properly configured can display different information for different visitors depending on individual preferences.

Another important application applies to new technologies, especially mobile and handheld devices with limited display capabilities. Again, with the proper evolution of web wide standards, it will be possible to write one page marked up with XML to indicate how to display the page for a cell phone vs. a handheld device vs. a PC, etc. The visitor does nothing while their browser works out the proper display with the website.