How do xml and html work together?

XML and HTML are both markup languages. While they may sound similar, they’re unique languages with different applications. However, the two markup languages work together in several ways, and both are important to understand if you want to become proficient in web development. Here’s everything you need to know about XML vs HTML.

This article explores what XML and HTML are, when you use them, the differences between them, and how you can combine them to create an effective network.

What Is XML?

XML stands for Extensible Markup Language, and it’s one of the most common web languages used for transporting data across applications and servers.

XML (Source: Wikipedia Commons)

Unlike other markup languages, XML itself does not do anything on its own. All it does is store data. It needs to interact with another application to display, move, or otherwise use the stored code.

XML does have syntax, but all its tags are defined by you, which you can also add or remove. This is what makes it “extensible.”

XML and HTML may have similar names, but they are in fact very unique languages with different applications. 👀 Learn more right here ⬇️Click to Tweet

When Is XML Used?

XML’s primary function is in storing and transporting data. Much like HTML, XML is also used in creating websites, but unlike HTML, it isn’t concerned with displaying the data to your visitors.

XML’s only function is to move data around; how it then gets used is up to you and the technologies you pair it with. Usually, you’ll be transporting data from your server or another application to the database.

WordPress uses the REST API to establish a connection between servers, which can transfer data, including XML. In the past, it used XML-RPC instead, but that’s now outdated.

The type of data XML stores is entirely up to you, but usually, it’s used for “structured data” such as documents, invoices, catalogs, books, and so on. It’s often used to store data in web applications such as forms.

XML is platform-agnostic, and in plain text format, so you don’t need to worry about being unable to open and read data transferred to you. XML will work with basically any technology. That’s why it’s still so widely used today.

Features of XML

Here’s a breakdown of XML and what it can do, so you can easily compare it to HTML.

• XML efficiently stores and carries data from place to place.
• While it is generally human readable, XML relies on other applications to display, analyze, or output the data. It only stores and moves it.
• XML is platform-agnostic and can hook into any application that supports it.
• It is comparatively simple, easy to write and learn – though putting it to use is a big step up from HTML.
• XML is dynamic and can be used to create non-static web pages.
• XML tags are user-defined. You don’t need to memorize the tags like HTML; you make them up yourself.
• It’s an extensible language that can have information written to or removed from it at any time.

Examples of XML

Still confused? Let’s break down a simple example of XML in action.

  
    01
    Daisies
    $2.95
  

  
    02
    Buttercup
    $2.30
  

The first thing to note: All of these tags are user-defined. There is no “catalog” tag built into XML, nor does it have any inherent functionality.

This is different from HTML, where a tag like