XML Xdoc FAQ

What is XML ?

The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is a non-proprietary and extensive way to generate self-defining information that can be consistently interpreted by different types of technology and be readable by humans. XML is the key standard for data interchange.

Subject to security and privacy procedures, XML provides accessibility to data in a defined way. This eliminates inefficient and duplicate business processes as data in XML documents are able to be reused by different business processes. Before XML, data had been undefined and under used. Companies can create theit own XML structures specific to their business or adopt approved DTD or Schema.

Stylesheets describe how an XML document is interpreted to create ouput for a specific device or system.

Where can I learn more about XML ?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets standards for XML and publishes specifications and recommendations.

Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 (Third Edition) specification

Tim Bray, co-editor of the XML 1.0 specification, shares his knowledge and insights about XML, SGML and the working group behind the specification The Annotated XML 1.0 Specification

Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.1 W3C Candidate Recommendation 4 February 2004

XML Path Language (XPath) 1.0 W3C Recommendation 16 November 1999

The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative

e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF)

The e-GIF defines the technical policies and specifications governing information flows across government and the public sector. They cover interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access and content management. Version 5 is in two parts: Part 1: Framework. Contains the high level policy statements, management, implementation and compliance regimes. Part 2 :Technical policies and specifications contains the technical policies and tables of specifications, a glossary and abbreviations list.

e-GIF - Version 5 25th April 2003 (.pdf) (.doc)

Where can I get stock price information ?

Yahoo Finance for Market summary and news.

Yahoo Finance showing Yahoo stock price details.

CSV stock price data for Yahoo.

Where can I find out more about character sets?

A tutorial on character code issues

Code to character map

ANSII characters128 to 255