XML Output

[Olanko]

Could you explain in simple words what is XML output used for? We don't use it now, but we have to decide whether we need it or not.

[Peter Grainge]

Welcome to the forum.

Well it's not quite in the same league as asking for a simple guide to splitting the atom but it's that sort of question.

Think of XML as HTML where the tags are structured and give a sort of database effect. That enables the content to be reused.

It's also one of those things where if you needed it, you would sort of know. Your developers would be steering you that way.

Probably someone can give you a better answer but meantime you would do very well to look at http://www.xml.com and do some googling.

[Olanko]

By the way, it was developers who wanted me to find out whether we need it or not.

[Olanko]

Thank you so much, Peter!

Actually I didn't want people to get into details while answering. I just need to grab a common idea.

I'll search further.

[Peter Grainge]

What might help here is if someone using XML could give us a paragraph or two about why they use it and whether it does help them.

[Olanko]

Exactly!

[Peter Grainge]

Then I would hazard a guess that you don't! Unless you have really large volumes of text that others might want to use within you organisation or that the developers want to use, I think it unlikely you need XML. Though that is no reason not to investigate further. It might be worth asking this question on the HATT Yahoo group.

[Olanko]

Maybe to clear up the situation I need to add some more information. The thing is that I write Help File for our programme product. It describes all the features of the product and surely it represents large volumes of text. So, the question is : do we need to start applying XML output, will it be of use to us and our customers... The thought that suggests itself is - you never know until you try.

[Peter Grainge]

Looking at an XML output, I can't see how but the main point in coming back is that I really do think the question you have now asked is clearer and you would be well advised to put it on the HATT forum.

There are some people who hang around that and not here and I think some of them might have the information you are seeking.