Once the
data that we want to update is stored in a specially identified XML
container, it can
easily be transported for
updating. The changes only involve data
and
not
presentation
and, therefore, using XML is a lot quicker than
making the changes to
the HTML each time.
Also,
the plain text used in XML allow it to be a software and
hardware independent tool for carrying information, as long as
the
custom tags used are defined in a Document
Type
Definition
(DTD)
statement, so that the computer can understand them. This data can
then also be shared with other
organisations, such as news agencies,
if needed. It also makes the data more available to reading machines,
such as screen readers (W3 Schools).
Some
disadvantages
Creating the XML document will involve a fair amount of effort, as the
strict syntax rules of XML
mean that any error made will
stop
the
document from being processed, not like HTML. Not only must it
be
well-formed by using the correct syntax, a valid XML document must also
conform to the rules of DTD.
Using an XML document in order to regularly update an HTML web page
involves different
applications and programs in order to, firstly, make
the changes to the XML document and then to transfer these changes to
the HTML page. It is not as straightforward as updating HTML directly.
Although this process may initially take some time,
in the
long run it will mean that updates can be made more
quickly and, therefore, the site will hold more accurate and up to
date information.
Which information
will be affected?
The
dynamic data that will need to be regularly updated is the data on troll
characteristics
and troll sightings.
This information will grow as people sight trolls and submit the new
information. Even older troll characteristics information will be
altered as corrections are made to data that has since been
discredited. At present this information is found on the Troll
facts
page and there is currently a relatively small amount of information
on characteristics and sightings for each troll type. Also, there is
currently no information on the troll
subtypes Raglefantene, Rimtusse
and Harding on the
website. This information can be updated almost
immediately by speaking to the troll hunter. Later, additional
troll subtypes may also be discovered.
So,
for example, the XML tags that might be used to describe the contents
of the Troll types
heading in the HTML might be:
<troll
types>
<troll type="forest troll">
<troll
subtype>
<name>Tusseladd</name>
<characteristics>3
heads</characteristics>
<sightings>Jötunnheimen</sightings>
</troll
subtype>
</troll>
</troll
types>
References
Møller,
A
&
Schwartzbach,
M.I.
(2003).
HTML
vs.
XML.
Retrieved
31
May,
2011,
from
http://www.brics.dk/~amoeller/XML/xml/htmlvsxml.html
Perugini,
S.
(2003).
HTML
versus
XML.
Retrieved
31
May,
2011,
from
http://courses.cs.vt.edu/~cs1204/XML/htmlVxml.html
XML
Tutorial. Available from http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp
Further
readings
Charles
Sturt University (2011). Web page formatting, tables, and links. Module
3,
Fundamentals
of
Web
Publishing,
from http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF446_201130_W_D/page/85c59993-ff35-4239-804d-61542ed2ba28
Charles
Sturt University (2011). XML and cascading style sheets (CSS). Module
4,
Fundamentals
of
Web
Publishing,
from http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF446_201130_W_D/page/85c59993-ff35-4239-804d-61542ed2ba28
Difference
between HTML and XML. Available from http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-html-and-xml/
Druell,
N. (2006). General advantages and disadvantages of html vs xml and
xhtml. Retrieved 31 May, 2011, from http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/General-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-HTML-vs-XML-and-XHTML/
Goldsonam
(2011).
What
is
the
difference
between
HTML
and
XML?
Retrieved
31
May,
2011,
from
http://techforum4u.com/content.php/318-What-is-the-difference-between-HTML-and-XML
HTML
vs XML. Available from http://www.visualbuilder.com/java/xml/tutorial/html-vs-xml/
