This paper describes the main XML technologies and tools that make XML an essential instrument for data representation and exchange and shows that, thanks to its association with other portable technologies such as Java, XML is becoming the main engine of data exchange and management.
The Extensible Markup Language (XML) provides a simple, extendable, well-structured, platform independent and easily searchable means for data description, representation, exchange and integration. Although XML uses markup tags as HTML, it derives its power from its ability to allow users to define new tags related to the content, separate data and the presentation of data, and create self-describing hierarchical structures. XML and its associated technologies offer a powerful framework for organizing data and automating the exchange of information. It also facilitates the integration and interoperability of Web applications. This paper describes the main XML technologies and tools that make XML an essential instrument for data representation and exchange. It also shows that, thanks to its association with other portable technologies such as Java, XML is becoming the main engine of data exchange and management.