XML (Extensible Markup Language), is a markup language designed to carry text and data. While similar to HTML, XML transmits data rather than displaying it. HTML, on the other hand, displays the data on the screen. For this reason, XML is often considered a difficult language to understand. Anyway, XML is an important component of many websites. Therefore, having a smattering of it can be useful.
Steps
Step 1. Purchase an XML editor
There are a large number of XML editors, such as Liquid XML Editor.
Step 2. Install the XML editor of your choice on your computer
Step 3. Restart your computer if necessary
Step 4. Get familiar with the XML editor
Step 5. Study the educational resources available on XML and the editor of your choice, such as sites and online forums
Step 6. Find the XML file you want to edit
Step 7. Open the file by double clicking on the name
The file will be opened and its code will be shown.
Step 8. Edit the XML file to your liking
Step 9. Review the code you wrote
- Make sure the XML elements of the file have the opening and closing tags. Remember that in XML, tags are case sensitive, that is, they are case sensitive.
- Make sure the XML file contains a root element.
- Make sure the values in your XML file are enclosed in quotation marks. XML attributes are elements that provide more information about the elements, otherwise not found elsewhere in the code.
- Make sure the XML elements are concatenated correctly.
Step 10. Correct any errors you discover
Step 11. Use the XML Editor Verification Tool to verify the file
The XML file will not work as it should if it contains errors.
Step 12. Correct any errors identified during verification
Step 13. Save the XML file you just edited
Step 14. Open the XML file in the browser
If the code is incorrect, the XML file will not work.
Advice
- XML is the basis of many new web languages such as RSS, used in news feeds, WAP and WML, which are used for mobile devices. Using XML to format information makes it compatible across multiple platforms, languages and applications, and can make data more accessible for users with disabilities.
- XML was developed to structure, store and transmit data. It has no other functions. Hence, XML only deals with the data itself, rather than its appearance. You can use HTML or WYSISWG (What You See Is What You Get) editors to design your web page.
- XML files can also be edited using the Windows Notepad program and also with some word processing and spreadsheet programs. However, XML editors are considered more suitable for the purpose because they have the ability to verify the code and highlight its syntax.
