Xml And Semantic Transparency / quote 1 of 3
Xml markup as syntax plus metadata
How does XML help with the encoding of information at the semantic level? Or does it? New users sometimes refer to XML as "semantic markup," and may be heard to praise XML for its ability to express semantic clarity through markup. We understand what gives rise to this sentiment: a work environment within which proprietary, procedural, and implicit markup has been the norm. Someone who uses a text editor to examine an XML document -- comparing it to an ancient WordStar file, to a comma-delimited text file, to Postscript, or to any document using a procedural or presentational markup language -- will readily judge the XML document more meaningful with respect to the information objects represented by text. The markup itself is a form of 'metadata', explaining to us what the constituent elements are (by name), and how these information objects are structured into larger coherent units.