Xml & Sgml Standardization Framework
To present information over the internet, developers have to use certain programming languages. Basically, programming languages are developed to inform computer in which way it should work after getting specific instructions. Although there are different types of languages available in the world of computer but XML is really getting popular because of many good reasons.
Extensible Markup Language or XML is one of most extensively used languages to exchange information over World Wide Web. It is considered an extensible language because of the fact that users can made certain changes to its basic form. This language is getting more popular because it is now creating a standardization framework. Because of this standardization framework, it has now become much more convenient for certain businesses to store and retrieve information. A great example can be seen in healthcare industry where this framework makes it possible to store the record of a patient for good.
Delving into the concept:
Today all software companies are considering the role of XML while developing certain software solutions. To get a better idea of XML, it is relevant to throw some light on SGML. Standard Generalized Markup Language or SGML is a metalanguage. It means that there are certain languages that can be found within SGML. In fact, XML is supposed to be subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language. It is because of the universality and ease of implementation that people are now more prone to use XML for document specification in lieu of using SGML.
Nevertheless, the role of SGML, in terms of revolutionizing the world, can not be overlooked. It was HTML, an application of SGML, which has changed the fate of World Wide Web.
Playing the role of standardization framework:
As mentioned that XML is now creating standardization framework, so, it is essential to talk something about meta-standards. Meta-standards refer to those standards that can be used to define other standards. Some of the XML related standards are acquired from ISO and some of them are added to the language in general.
There are certain ways and methods to translate between different standards. In fact, these are also known as special standards which play the role of translator between other standards. The standard specifying ways to translate is called mediator. It is worth mentioning that there are specific standards that determine the way how mediators are to be defined. So, the whole standardization process is quite complicated as one standard is used to define other standards, but, that's what standardization framework is all about.
As SGML is responsible to bring forth XML, so, the common root of standards is the Standard Generalized Markup Language. But, XML grew at a rapid pace because of its special characteristic known as 'extensible'.
The bottom line:
Since there are different meta-standards and mediators, so, such system is supposed to be more flexible than others. The openness of this system is another aspect helping developers in a great way. Due to this openness of system, lots of development can be seen in coming years.
