Thinking about XML

Microsoft said last week it will embed advanced XML features in future versions of its Web browser and desktop software. This includes such things as XML style sheets and support for the XML Document Object Model, which gives you control of XML document content and formatting.

It's a bit early to begin intensive use of XML for client-side functions, since virtually no clients actually support it yet. But it may not be too early to begin playing with XML in general. This is partly to get familiar with it before the bosses begin asking you to do something about The Next Hot Thing. But also, like Java, XML can be useful on the server as well. In fact, given the complexity of data manipulation possible with XML, it might make more sense to use it on a powerful server than force some lowly Web browser to go through painful contortions.

One of Microsoft's announcements last week, in fact, was that it would develop server-side XML for just such a purpose, and to provide a standard way for distributed applications to share XML data. Think about naming conventions for your XML tags, and begin to look at way to have your Web database parse that information.

Adam Gaffin is editor of Network World Fusion. You can reach him at agaffin@nww.com.

Microsoft's XML page

Extensible Markup Language: Overviews and specs from the World Wide Web Consortium.

XML Resource Page:
This page from Object Design has a variety of resources, including a paper on server-side XML.

XML keeps it simple:
A look at some early adopters. Network World Fusion, 3/16/98.

W3C boosts XML with namespace spec:
The combination of namespaces and XML promises to improve data handling and foster the creation of versatile Web pages. Network World, 8/17/98.

XML document management tools debut:
New Web format creates richer electronic documents from multiple data sources. Network World, 4/6/98.