XML

Definition

XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is a markup language designed to store and transport data, allowing users to define their own custom tags. This flexibility makes XML ideal for data journalism and digital storytelling techniques, as it enables the structured organization of data in a way that is both machine-readable and human-readable. XML facilitates the integration of various types of data sources, helping journalists create interactive visualizations and informative narratives from complex datasets.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. XML allows for custom tag creation, which means journalists can define how they want their data to be organized and presented.
2. It supports Unicode, enabling the representation of text in virtually any writing system, which is crucial for handling global data sources.
3. XML documents are structured in a hierarchical format, which makes it easier to parse large datasets and extract meaningful information.
4. Many data journalism tools and frameworks utilize XML for data interchange, making it easier to share information between different applications.
5. Using XML in digital storytelling can enhance interactivity by allowing users to engage with data dynamically through web applications.

Review Questions

• How does XML enhance the ability of journalists to work with complex datasets?
  • XML enhances journalists' ability to work with complex datasets by providing a structured format that allows for custom tags. This structure makes it easier to organize, transport, and interpret data from various sources. By defining their own tags, journalists can effectively categorize information and create interactive visualizations that convey their stories more clearly.
• In what ways does XML differ from JSON in terms of data handling for journalism purposes?
  • XML differs from JSON primarily in its markup structure and flexibility. While XML allows for custom tags and is more verbose, JSON is lightweight and easier to read for both humans and machines. This difference affects how data is handled in journalism; JSON tends to be favored for web applications due to its efficiency, while XML's extensibility can be advantageous when dealing with complex hierarchical data structures.
• Evaluate the implications of using XML in digital storytelling when integrating diverse data sources.
  • Using XML in digital storytelling has significant implications for integrating diverse data sources. Its ability to handle various formats and types of information allows journalists to weave together different datasets into cohesive narratives. This capability fosters creativity in storytelling by enabling the combination of statistical data with multimedia elements. Furthermore, the structured nature of XML ensures that the data remains organized throughout the process, allowing for more effective analysis and presentation in the final story.

Related terms

HTML: HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the standard markup language used to create web pages and web applications, focusing on the structure and presentation of content.

JSON: JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate, often used as an alternative to XML.

Data Visualization: Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data, utilizing visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps to communicate complex data clearly and efficiently.