XML is a language where you can define any data. Check out what wikipedia spits out.
Quote:
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The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a W3C-recommended general-purpose markup language for creating special-purpose markup languages. It is a simplified subset of SGML, capable of describing many different kinds of data. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of data across different systems, particularly systems connected via the Internet. Languages based on XML (for example, RDF, RSS, MathML, XHTML and SVG) are defined in a formal way, allowing programs to modify and validate documents in these languages without prior knowledge of their form.
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There is a TON more of information on the wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xml
Also check out w3scools
http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp
Quote:
What is XML?
* XML stands for EXtensible Markup Language
* XML is a markup language much like HTML
* XML was designed to describe data
* XML tags are not predefined. You must define your own tags
* XML uses a Document Type Definition (DTD) or an XML Schema to describe the data
* XML with a DTD or XML Schema is designed to be self-descriptive
* XML is a W3C Recommendation
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Hope you find what you need.
One good example of a real life application that uses xml is gaim the instant messenger. It stores all it's prefernces in XML. I'll post some from one of the pref files.
prefs.xml
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8' ?>
<pref version='1.0' name='/'>
<pref name='core'>
<pref name='away'>
<pref name='away_when_idle' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='mins_before_away' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='default_message' type='string' value='Slightly less boring default' />
<pref name='auto_reply' type='string' value='awayidle' />
</pref>
<pref name='buddies'>
<pref name='use_server_alias' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='contact'>
<pref name='last_match' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='offline_score' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='away_score' type='int' value='2' />
<pref name='idle_score' type='int' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='conversations'>
<pref name='use_alias_for_title' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='chat'>
<pref name='show_nick_change' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='im'>
<pref name='send_typing' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='logging'>
<pref name='log_ims' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='log_chats' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='log_system' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='log_signon_signoff' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='log_idle_state' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='log_away_state' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='log_own_states' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='format' type='string' value='txt' />
</pref>
<pref name='network'>
<pref name='auto_ip' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='public_ip' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='ports_range_use' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='ports_range_start' type='int' value='1024' />
<pref name='ports_range_end' type='int' value='2048' />
</pref>
<pref name='proxy'>
<pref name='type' type='string' value='none' />
<pref name='host' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='port' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='username' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='password' type='string' value='' />
</pref>
<pref name='sound'>
<pref name='while_away' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='ft'>
<pref name='public_ip' type='string' value='' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='plugins'>
<pref name='core'>
<pref name='autorecon'>
<pref name='hide_connected_error' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='hide_connecting_error' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='restore_state' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='statenotify'>
<pref name='notify_away' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='notify_idle' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='lopl' />
<pref name='prpl'>
<pref name='jabber'>
<pref name='hide_os' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='msn'>
<pref name='conv_close_notice' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='conv_timeout_notice' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='silc'>
<pref name='sign_im' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='verify_im' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='sign_chat' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='verify_chat' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='vcard' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='pubkey' type='string' value='C:\Documents and Settings\Frazier PH&A\Application Data\.silc/public_key.pub' />
<pref name='privkey' type='string' value='C:\Documents and Settings\Frazier PH&A\Application Data\.silc/private_key.prv' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='gtk'>
<pref name='docklet'>
<pref name='queue_messages' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='kstange'>
<pref name='extendedprefs'>
<pref name='blist_taskbar' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='conv_buttons'>
<pref name='warn' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='block' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='file' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='add' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='info' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='invite' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='conv_size' type='int' value='8' />
<pref name='popup_size' type='int' value='8' />
<pref name='log_size' type='int' value='8' />
<pref name='blist_size' type='int' value='8' />
<pref name='blist_allow_shrink' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='conv_zoom' type='int' value='100' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='extplacement'>
<pref name='placement_number' type='int' value='6' />
<pref name='placement_number_separate' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='amc_grim'>
<pref name='guifications2'>
<pref name='behavior'>
<pref name='display_time' type='int' value='6' />
<pref name='throttle' type='int' value='6' />
<pref name='show_while_away' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_during_screen_saver' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='notifications' type='stringlist'>
<item value='sign-on' />
<item value='nick-highlight' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='appearance'>
<pref name='position' type='int' value='3' />
<pref name='vertical' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='zoom' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='alias' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='show_contacts' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='mouse'>
<pref name='left' type='string' value='open' />
<pref name='middle' type='string' value='close' />
<pref name='right' type='string' value='context' />
</pref>
<pref name='themes' type='stringlist'>
</pref>
<pref name='advanced'>
<pref name='release_notification' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='release_last_check' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='screen' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='monitor' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='sign_on_delay' type='int' value='8000' />
<pref name='hide_conv_focused' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='hide_joinleave' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='guifications'>
<pref name='behavior'>
<pref name='signon' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='signoff' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='away' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='back' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='idle' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='unidle' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='rcvmsg' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='pos' type='int' value='3' />
<pref name='x' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='y' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='vertical' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='timeout' type='int' value='6' />
<pref name='zoom' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='alias' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='showaway' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='mouse1' type='int' value='2' />
<pref name='mouse2' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='mouse3' type='int' value='4' />
</pref>
<pref name='appearance'>
<pref name='image' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='custom_image' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='font' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='face' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='color' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='tpos' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='clip' type='int' value='2' />
<pref name='text_x' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='text_y' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='ppos' type='int' value='6' />
<pref name='psize' type='int' value='1' />
<pref name='prot_x' type='int' value='5' />
<pref name='prot_y' type='int' value='5' />
</pref>
<pref name='colors'>
<pref name='foreground' type='string' value='#000000000000' />
</pref>
<pref name='messages'>
<pref name='signon' type='string' value='has signed on' />
<pref name='signoff' type='string' value='has signed off' />
<pref name='away' type='string' value='is now away' />
<pref name='back' type='string' value='is now back' />
<pref name='idle' type='string' value='is now idle' />
<pref name='unidle' type='string' value='is no longer idle' />
<pref name='receive' type='string' value='messaged you' />
</pref>
<pref name='advanced'>
<pref name='delay' type='int' value='7000' />
<pref name='release_notification' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='release_check' type='int' value='1091989004' />
</pref>
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='relnot'>
<pref name='last_check' type='int' value='1123540147' />
</pref>
<pref name='timestamp'>
<pref name='interval' type='int' value='300000' />
</pref>
<pref name='win32'>
<pref name='wintrans'>
<pref name='im_enabled' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='im_alpha' type='int' value='146' />
<pref name='im_slider' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='bl_enabled' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='bl_alpha' type='int' value='182' />
</pref>
<pref name='winprefs'>
<pref name='dblist_dockable' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='dblist_docked' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='dblist_height' type='int' value='645' />
<pref name='dblist_side' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='dblist_on_top' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='blist_on_top' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='im_blink' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='accountstate' />
<pref name='vertical_pos' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='horizontal_pos' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='show_in_gaim_win' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='stay_on_top' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_in_taskbar' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='sticky' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='msnnotify'>
<pref name='width' type='int' value='92' />
<pref name='height' type='int' value='92' />
<pref name='x' type='int' value='940' />
<pref name='y' type='int' value='0' />
<pref name='duration' type='int' value='5' />
<pref name='received-im-msg' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='buddy-away' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='buddy-back' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='buddy-idle' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='buddy-unidle' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='buddy-signed-on' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='buddy-signed-off' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show-images' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='cb-on-click' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='encrypt'>
<pref name='accept_unknown_key' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='accept_conflicting_key' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='encrypt_response' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='broadcast_notify' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='encrypt_if_notified' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='gaim'>
<pref name='gtk'>
<pref name='accounts'>
<pref name='dialog'>
<pref name='width' type='int' value='1024' />
<pref name='height' type='int' value='712' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='away'>
<pref name='queue_messages' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='idle'>
<pref name='reporting_method' type='string' value='system' />
</pref>
<pref name='plugins'>
<pref name='loaded' type='stringlist'>
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\ssl-nss.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\ssl.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\winprefs.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\relnot.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\statenotify.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\extendedprefs.dll' />
<item value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\plugins\awaywindow.dll' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='smileys'>
<pref name='theme' type='string' value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\pixmaps\gaim\smileys\none\theme' />
</pref>
<pref name='debug'>
<pref name='enabled' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='timestamps' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='toolbar' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='width' type='int' value='450' />
<pref name='height' type='int' value='250' />
</pref>
<pref name='sound'>
<pref name='enabled'>
<pref name='login' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='logout' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='im_recv' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='first_im_recv' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_im' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='join_chat' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='left_chat' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_chat_msg' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='chat_msg_recv' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='nick_said' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='pounce_default' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='file'>
<pref name='login' type='string' value='C:\Program Files\Gaim\sounds\gaim\arrive.wav' />
<pref name='logout' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='im_recv' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='first_im_recv' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='send_im' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='join_chat' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='left_chat' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='send_chat_msg' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='chat_msg_recv' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='nick_said' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='pounce_default' type='string' value='' />
</pref>
<pref name='conv_focus' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='command' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='method' type='string' value='automatic' />
</pref>
<pref name='blist'>
<pref name='auto_expand_contacts' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='button_style' type='int' value='2' />
<pref name='grey_idle_buddies' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='raise_on_events' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_buddy_icons' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_empty_groups' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_idle_time' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_offline_buddies' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_warning_level' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='sort_type' type='string' value='alphabetical' />
<pref name='x' type='int' value='781' />
<pref name='y' type='int' value='4' />
<pref name='width' type='int' value='213' />
<pref name='height' type='int' value='701' />
<pref name='tooltip_delay' type='int' value='500' />
</pref>
<pref name='conversations'>
<pref name='close_on_tabs' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='ctrl_enter_sends' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='enter_sends' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='escape_closes' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_formatting' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_bold' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_italic' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='send_underline' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_timestamps' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='spellcheck' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='ignore_colors' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='ignore_fonts' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='ignore_font_sizes' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='html_shortcuts' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='smiley_shortcuts' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_formatting_toolbar' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='passthrough_unknown_commands' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='placement' type='string' value='last' />
<pref name='placement_number' type='int' value='1' />
<pref name='bgcolor' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='fgcolor' type='string' value='#000000' />
<pref name='font_face' type='string' value='courier new' />
<pref name='font_size' type='int' value='3' />
<pref name='tabs' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='tab_side' type='int' value='3' />
<pref name='button_type' type='int' value='2' />
<pref name='chat'>
<pref name='color_nicks' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='default_width' type='int' value='848' />
<pref name='default_height' type='int' value='453' />
<pref name='entry_height' type='int' value='85' />
<pref name='raise_on_events' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='button_type' type='int' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='im'>
<pref name='animate_buddy_icons' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='default_width' type='int' value='1008' />
<pref name='default_height' type='int' value='515' />
<pref name='entry_height' type='int' value='51' />
<pref name='raise_on_events' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='show_buddy_icons' type='bool' value='1' />
</pref>
<pref name='enable_commands' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='send_strikethrough' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='pounces'>
<pref name='default_actions'>
<pref name='open-window' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='popup-notify' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='send-message' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='execute-command' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='play-sound' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
</pref>
<pref name='filetransfer'>
<pref name='clear_finished' type='bool' value='1' />
<pref name='keep_open' type='bool' value='0' />
</pref>
<pref name='browsers'>
<pref name='new_window' type='bool' value='0' />
<pref name='command' type='string' value='' />
<pref name='browser' type='string' value='mozilla' />
</pref>
</pref>
</pref>
</pref>