XML, or , is a versatile technology widely used for structuring and organizing data in a hierarchical format. It serves as a markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-understandable. XML has become a fundamental component in various applications across different industries due to its flexibility and simplicity in representing structured data.
XML falls under the category of Languages in the realm of technology. It provides a standardized way to describe and store data, making it easier for different systems to communicate and exchange information. XML is commonly used in web development for defining data formats and configurations, as well as in document management systems for structuring content in a consistent manner.
The history of XML dates back to the late 1990s when it was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (). The motivation behind creating XML was to establish a universal standard for structuring data that could be easily interpreted by both humans and machines. Since its inception, XML has gained widespread adoption in various industries, contributing to the evolution of data exchange and interoperability on the web.
In terms of market share, XML continues to maintain a significant presence in the technology landscape. While newer technologies like JSON have gained popularity for certain use cases, XML remains a prevalent choice for many applications that require structured data representation. With the growing emphasis on data integration and interoperability, XML is expected to persist in the foreseeable future, albeit alongside emerging data exchange formats.
