[SOLVED] can anybody explain to me please the real advantages to using XML? when, why use

[mac007]

Hello, all:

 

can anybody explain to me please the real advantages to usign XML? when, why would you use it? what specifically for?? 

I realize it's supposed to just present "organizational" structure of text, but OK?? how would it differ from just using php/database to arrange and display regular data?? 

 

thanks for your feedback!

[ratcateme]

its more for transferring data between applications.

i have only used it in AJAX

where you send the page to the client who makes some kind of input then javascript gets a XML document from your server.

javascript can scan through a XML document and get the bits out you want.

XML is not normally used to store data. in my Java development i have sometimes used XML to store large config information but most of the time for normal sized configs i just used plain text.

 

Scott.

[prime]

pretty much as rat cate said said...

 

for use with your aps use mysql, but you can use XML for getting data between aps, languages more easily, that's really the purpose of XML a way toe exchange data easily between applications/languages

[Maq]

XML is an excellent way to transfer information.  For example an e-commerce site may get products, updates, etc. for their store to update.  XML is an easy universal way to transfer this information.  They just give you the format and you parse it to your preference.  Another example is AJAX.  Without refreshing the page you can get server side data and display it client side.

[mac007]

Thanks guys.. that was all I needed, I realized it was used in AJAX, but I had completely forgotten that one of its main purposes was to provide easier compatibility of data transfer between platforms... what Maq just said triggered a memory from way back when I went to an interview and these office-company where using xml to update their products which then would then get uploaded into InDesign for publishing laout..

 

thanks guys!