XML

Definition

XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is a flexible text format used to create structured documents by defining rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. This versatility makes XML ideal for representing complex data structures, which is particularly useful in areas like metadata schemas, object descriptions, and digital scholarly editions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. XML is not a programming language but a markup language that uses tags to define elements and structure within a document.
2. Its flexibility allows it to be used in various applications, including web services, configuration files, and data exchange between systems.
3. XML is often employed in metadata schemas to standardize how information about digital objects is described, facilitating interoperability among different systems.
4. In the context of digital scholarly editions, XML enables the encoding of texts with rich metadata, allowing for complex search capabilities and enhanced reader engagement.
5. LIDO, as an XML-based standard, provides a common framework for describing museum objects, helping institutions share collections more effectively.

Review Questions

• How does XML facilitate the creation of metadata schemas?
  • XML provides a structured way to define metadata schemas by allowing developers to create custom tags that accurately represent specific data types and relationships. This capability means that information about objects can be standardized across different platforms, enhancing data interoperability. By using XML, institutions can ensure their metadata is both consistent and easily accessible to users.
• Discuss the role of XML in the LIDO framework for describing museum objects.
  • XML plays a crucial role in the LIDO framework by offering a standardized way to encode and share information about museum objects. LIDO utilizes XML's extensibility to incorporate detailed attributes about each object, such as title, creator, date of creation, and provenance. This structured approach allows for richer descriptions that can be easily exchanged between different museums and institutions, promoting better access to cultural heritage collections.
• Evaluate the impact of XML on digital scholarly editions in terms of accessibility and usability of texts.
  • XML significantly enhances the accessibility and usability of digital scholarly editions by providing a structured format for encoding complex texts. This structure allows for detailed annotation and layering of information such as authorship, historical context, and textual variants. As a result, readers can interact with texts in meaningful ways—searching through metadata or engaging with embedded multimedia—ultimately enriching the research experience and broadening access to scholarly resources.

Related terms

Metadata: Data that provides information about other data, often used to facilitate the organization, discovery, and management of information.

Schema: A formal structure that defines the organization of data within an XML document, specifying elements and attributes that dictate how information is to be represented.

TEI (Text Encoding Initiative): A consortium that develops guidelines for the representation of literary and linguistic texts in digital form using XML, enhancing accessibility and usability.