XML

Definition

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing arbitrary data. It defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

Why It Matters

Before JSON became dominant, XML was the primary format for data interchange on the web (e.g., in SOAP APIs). It is still widely used in configuration files and for documents that require a strict schema.

Contextual Example

An XML representation of a user might look like: `<user><name>John Doe</name><email>john@example.com</email></user>`

Common Misunderstandings

• XML is more verbose and has stricter parsing rules than JSON.
• HTML is a specific markup language for web pages, while XML is a general-purpose language for defining other markup languages.

Related Terms