Converters for XML

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a widely adopted standard for structuring and storing data in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), XML was designed to facilitate data sharing across diverse systems, particularly over the internet. Unlike HTML, which focuses on data presentation, XML emphasizes data transport and storage by defining custom tags that describe the content and structure of the data. This flexibility makes XML a foundational technology in enterprise systems, web services, and configuration management.

At its core, XML is a markup language that uses a tree-like structure composed of nested elements, each enclosed within opening and closing tags. These elements can contain attributes, text, or other elements, allowing for complex data hierarchies. XML is both platform-independent and language-neutral, which enables seamless integration between heterogeneous systems. The syntax is strict, requiring proper nesting and closure of tags, which ensures data integrity and facilitates parsing by standard XML parsers. Additionally, XML supports validation through Document Type Definitions (DTD) or XML Schema Definitions (XSD), which enforce rules on the structure and content of XML documents.

XML files typically use the ".xml" extension and are stored as plain text, making them easy to edit and version control. These files are commonly used in configuration files, data interchange formats such as RSS and SOAP, and in applications that require structured data representation. Despite the rise of alternative formats like JSON, XML remains prevalent in legacy systems and industries that demand rigorous data validation and schema enforcement. Its enduring relevance in IT infrastructure underscores its importance as a reliable and extensible solution for structured data management.