Sams Teach Yourself XML in 24 Hours, Third Edition

Introduction

Of all the software technologies that have come and gone in the relatively short time since we all plugged in to the Web, few have been as far-reaching yet misunderstood as XML. Even with its catchy name that conjures up images of extreme sports, the true nature of XML continues to elude many technical people. The reason has to do with the fact that XML is very much a behind-the-scenes technology that helps to ensure that data is structured in an orderly fashion. There are very few situations where an end-user can see XML at work in a practical application. In this way, XML is a lot like residential building codes. When a house is built, thousands of building codes are used to guide contractors so that the house goes up safe and sound. ...