Difference Between XML and HTML

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Short Answer

XML and HTML are both used in web development but serve different purposes. HTML is used to display data and design web pages. It tells the browser how to show content, like text and images.

XML stores and transports data. It focuses on what data is. HTML uses predefined tags, while XML allows you to create your own tags. This makes XML flexible for many types of data. HTML is about how data looks, and XML is about what data means.

Detailed Answer

Difference Between XML and HTML

1. Purpose

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) designs and structures web pages. It uses tags to create elements like headings, paragraphs, and links. HTML focuses on how content looks on a webpage.

On the other hand, XML (eXtensible Markup Language) stores and transports data. It doesn’t care about how data looks but focuses on what the data is. XML allows you to create custom tags to structure data in a way that makes sense for your specific needs.

2. Tags and Structure

HTML comes with a predefined set of tags, such as <p> for paragraphs and <h1> for headings. These tags tell web browsers how to display content.

XML allows you to create your own tags. This means you can define data in a way that’s clear and meaningful for both humans and machines. For example, an XML file might use <name> to enclose a person’s name and <email> for their email address.

3. Flexibility and Use Cases

HTML’s predefined tags limit its flexibility for data representation beyond web page structuring. It’s designed specifically for creating and designing web pages.

XML’s custom tags make it extremely flexible for various data representation needs. It’s used in web development, mobile app development, and even for storing configuration settings in software applications.

Examples

HTML Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>HTML Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Welcome to Web</h1>
    <p>This is a paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>

This HTML document uses specific tags like <title>, <h1>, and <p> to structure a web page.

XML Example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<user>
    <name>Prakash Kumar</name>
    <email>prakash@example.com</email>
</user>

This XML document describes data with custom tags (<user>, <name>, <email>) without specifying how it should be displayed.

Comparison of XML and HTML in table form

FeatureXMLHTML
PurposeDesigned for carrying and storing data.Designed for displaying data in web browsers.
TagsAllows custom tags which you can define for your data.Uses predefined tags like <p>, <h1>, etc.
DisplayDoes not concern itself with how data looks on a screen.Focuses on how content is displayed and formatted on web pages.
FlexibilityHighly flexible in terms of data structure and organization.Limited flexibility, structured specifically for web page design.
Data TypeMeant for transporting and storing data with a focus on the data’s structure and meaning.Aimed at displaying data and focuses on the layout and design of the data on web pages.
CustomizationYou can create tags that are tailored to match the needs of your data.You must use the standard set of HTML tags, with little room for customization in terms of data representation.
UsageWidely used in web services, software settings, and data interchange between systems.Primarily used to create and design websites and web applications.