Introduction
Page 2
Let's Dissect
Summary

To summarize, XML is a text-based meta-language that uses tags, elements, and attributes to add structure and definition to documents. It is similar to HTML in syntax and implementation, but different with regard to functionality. Where HTML allows users to control how documents are displayed, XML allows them to describe the actual contents of the documents. It is a markup language because it uses tags to mark-up documents and it is a meta-language because it uses these tags to give structure to documents that it in turn uses as a means of communication. XML is extensible because it enables users to create their own collection of tags (unlike HTML).

Now, why should you care about XML? If for now other reason, consider that the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Internet's governing body, is considering a proposal to rewrite the HTML 4 language in XML 1.0. As of the time this article was written, XHTML had received endorsement by the director of the W3C as a recommendation. This proposal, known as XHTML will require well formedness in all HTML documents. The W3C is a neutral standards body responsible for defining the future of the Internet. They do not support every new idea that comes along, and we should view their full support of XML (or any technology), as a harbinger of where tomorrow's Internet will take us. Ignore XML if you will, but know that it is most definitely a legitimate technology that will revolutionize the way that we program applications for the Web.
Jeff Jones
About the author:
Jeff Jones For more information on XHTML, XML, and the W3C, check out the W3C website at http://www.w3c.org.