Summary

In this chapter, youve learned about XML and the contents of XML documents. Youve also learned about the differences between XML, HTML, and XHTML. As a developer or designer, I hope Ive shown you the advantages of working with XML in your applications.

The importance of XML cannot be overstated. As a technology, it allows organizations to create their own mechanisms for sharing information. At its simplest, XML provides a structured, text-based alternative to a database. More complex uses of XML might involve data interactions between corporate systems and outside consumers of information. The most important thing to remember is that an XML document can provide a data source for many different applications.

The widespread adoption of XML by major software companies such as Microsoft and Macromedia ensure its future. Most of the popular database packages provide XML support. If its not already there, expect XML to become part of most software packages in the near future.

The next chapter looks at working with XML content in XML editors and in Office 2003. It also looks more closely at consuming web services. Ill cover creating DTDs and XML schemas as well as transforming XML documents with XSLT. Well finish by creating an XML document and schema from scratch.