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...revolution, comparable

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Despite the hype, the use of XML in the real world is still mainly limited to data transfer and system integration within large companies. In smaller business, and in the Internet application area (normally the domain of a more traditional RDB, ASP, HTML model), we have seen little use of XML

This article discusses XML's strengths; why XML is a valuable tool, particularly with respect to data exchange; and also why perhaps XML is not commonly found within small businesses.

Should XML Be Used for Web Front-End Development?

HTML was indeed a revolution. It took us from awkward FTP nerds jotting down IP addresses and passwords to information seekers intuitively clicking from link to link. This took Internet demographics from a narrow subset of IT proficients and academics to a much more varied population, resulting in a corresponding variety of content.

HTML was successful because a problem existed that needed a solution (the Web was difficult to use), and the solution was simple, fairly robust, and cheap.

What issues does XML resolve? When should we abandon HTML in favor of XML and XSL for Web development?

XML cannot be directly compared with HTML--XML describes data, HTML presentation. Yet this differentiation often forms one of the most prevalent arguments in this area.

XML separates content from the presentation layer

XML is designed purely to represent data. It relies on partnership technologies such as XSL to format that data and present it to the user. This concept is valuable, allowing a clear division of responsibility between the two.

That said, separating content and layout is an idea that has been in practice for years. In a loose sense, most commercial Web sites have these two components separated already, with the layout represented in HTML code and content stored in back-end databases. ASP is typically used to merge the content with the presentation, passing the result to...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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