The Howdy Glossary

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a versatile and hardware-independent tool used for storing and transporting data, distinct from HTML which focuses on data display. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in the late 1990s, XML was spearheaded by figures like Tim Bray, Jean Paoli, and C. M. Sperberg-McQueen to standardize data representation and exchange on the internet. Its user-defined tags provide flexibility in application development and system integration, encouraging adaptable structures tailored to specific needs without requiring significant modifications.

The structured nature of XML documents allows for seamless data interchange between different systems and platforms. It serves as a robust solution for managing complex data structures due to its standardized format that ensures interoperability across various industries. While competitors like JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) offer simplicity and lightweight formats ideal for web-based applications, YAML focuses on human-readable configuration files but lacks some structural robustness compared to XML.

XML's competitive edge lies in its ability to handle complex data interchange with flexibility through user-defined tags while maintaining a structured format beneficial for diverse technological ecosystems. This makes it an excellent choice for scenarios where seamless data transport is critical. Ideal users include software developers, web developers, system integrators, and organizations seeking effective ways to manage and exchange data across different systems efficiently.