Overview: If you have ever used the Web to read newspapers, make purchases or check your financial position, you have relied on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) technologies. XML technologies are being incorporated into web pages and applications alike. It is a language that describes information in a way that allows computers to exchange and automatically act on the information. Consequently, it can be used to automate certain processes. A set of related technologies built around the XML language define a rich set of tools that can be used to define, manipulate, and display context-rich data. In particular, XML Schemas define intuitive methods for creating complex documents. The Document Object Model (DOM) defines methods for interacting with XML and HTML, permitting the dynamic creation and manipulation of documents. XML Query provides flexible query facilities to extract and update data from real and virtual XML documents. The Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) defines methods for transforming and displaying XML documents on a variety of devices, from web browsers to print mediums to voice-enabled devices. The advent of Internet-enabled browsers and a first-generation language for defining data, known as HTML, has led to the creation of the world’s first digital library. Using the simplicity of HTML with more advanced concepts from the publishing community has led to the creation of a second-generation Internet language called the Extensible Markup Language (XML), which is rapidly becoming one of the most popular languages in the world. XML is being incorporated into web pages and applications alike, particularly in those involved in electronic commerce applications. It is a language that describes information in a way that allows computers to exchange and automatically act on the information. Consequently, it can be used to automate certain processes. A set of related technologies built around this Internet language define a rich set of tools that can be used to define, manipulate, and display context-rich data. In particular, XML Schemas define intuitive methods for creating complex documents. The Document Object Model (DOM) defines methods for interacting with XML and HTML, permitting the dynamic creation and manipulation of documents. The Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) defines methods for transforming and displaying XML documents on a variety of devices, from web browsers to print mediums to voice-enabled devices.

Industry Need Addressed: Virtually all application domains use XML technologies to define, manipulate, and exchange structured information. In addition, XML processors and support for the related Schema, DOM and XSL technologies are available in versions of popular web browsers and application development software. The widespread availability of these technologies has made them obvious choices as building blocks for electronic commerce. As such, conformance of these products to the W3C Recommendations is necessary to build interoperable solutions. The World Wide Web (W3C) consortium and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) consortium are accelerating the adoption of these standards by addressing market needs and directions, and recommending guidelines for product interoperability and conformance.