Chapter 1: What Is XML and Why You Should Care

In This Chapter

Attending a short history course

Introducing XML's many uses

Exploring the similarities between XML and HTML

Examining XML's syntax and rules

Looking at XML's element types and attributes

Chapter Outline

A Wee Bit of Background
XML Suits Many Applications
- XML for documents
- XML for data exchange
If You Know HTML, You Know XML
Marking Up Is Hard to Do -- Not!
- Break out that text editor!
- XML editors: More power, more convenience
The Power of XML
- More meaningful names in your documents
- XML defines new languages
Web Pages before -- and after -- XML
- XML: One document, many different outputs
- XML for data -- HTML for display
- Better post-processing

Next Chapter

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