XML is an abbreviation for Extensible Markup Language. It has, in many ways, overcome the shortcomings of SGML and HTML. This new language has become an important industry-standard means for exchanging the data across the Internet. Though, this is a non-binary language in order to understand it, one has to know what markup language is, how they are designed, their definition, and their presentation.

Markup language is a highly used computer languages that enable the web designers to add new content and web pages to the websites. It gives a unique approach to the websites and improves the quality and the appearance. Apparently, the purpose of a markup language is to define the structure, layout, and formatting of the texts on the websites.

Benefits of XML

Easy to Understand

XML is really easy and self-describing. As it has logical tag construct, it enables people to read the text and content posted on the websites. Even a person with less or no XML knowledge can recognize the data in XML document.

Simple to Use

The one benefit with XML is that it is easy to use. It is widely adopted because it is flexible and adaptable in nature. There are no illogical signs, no-nonsense designs, and no binary language as XML is text.

Opening and Closing Tag

Just like HTML, XML also requires a closing tag at the end of the text, or at least a self-closing opening tag. So, this makes designing XML parsers much easier and simpler than designing the SGML and HTML parsers.

Any Data Can be Designed

As far as XML is concerned, it’s allows the users to design any data format unless the XML rules are followed.  It can be used to define and use any kind of data.

Information Storage

XML also works great for storing information and computer applications. Though the purpose of this language is not to store information like data management system, it can work to store for limited information for finite period.

Microsoft Excel and XML – What’s the Connection

Microsoft excel 2003 was the first software of its kind that gave a serious thought about XML usage. For example: the use of excel to edit, prepare, and process data in various forms such as inventory lists, statistical data, flow charts, etc. has been significant.

The ‘X’ in XML which stands for ‘Extensible’ is also appropriate because it can be used to fulfill any business requirement – publishing, government, research etc.