XML

Definition

XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is a flexible text format designed to store and transport data. It allows for the creation of custom tags that describe the data's structure and meaning, making it easier to share information across different systems and platforms. In data journalism, XML plays a critical role by enabling the representation of complex datasets in a structured way, which can be parsed and analyzed by various software tools.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. XML is both human-readable and machine-readable, making it ideal for data interchange between different applications and systems.
2. In the context of data journalism, XML can be used to represent diverse datasets, including statistical information, text documents, and multimedia content.
3. Unlike HTML, which has predefined tags, XML allows users to create custom tags suited to their specific data needs.
4. XML facilitates the integration of data from various sources by providing a standard format that can be easily shared and transformed.
5. Many web services use XML as a way to communicate data between clients and servers, contributing to its importance in online journalism.

Review Questions

• How does XML enhance the process of data sharing in journalism?
  • XML enhances data sharing in journalism by providing a standardized format that allows for easy exchange of information between different systems. Its flexibility in creating custom tags means journalists can tailor the data structure to fit their specific needs, making it easier to understand complex datasets. This structured approach ensures that various software tools can interpret the data accurately, leading to more effective analysis and reporting.
• Compare XML with JSON in terms of their usage in data journalism and explain which scenarios are more suitable for each format.
  • XML and JSON are both used for data interchange but serve different purposes in data journalism. XML is better suited for complex datasets where the hierarchy of data needs to be clearly defined with custom tags. It excels in scenarios where detailed metadata is required. JSON, on the other hand, is more lightweight and often preferred for simpler datasets due to its ease of use and readability. It’s particularly useful when working with APIs that require quick data exchanges without the overhead of XML's structure.
• Evaluate the impact of XML on the evolution of data journalism practices and its role in modern reporting.
  • XML has significantly influenced the evolution of data journalism practices by enabling more structured and accessible data representation. Its ability to facilitate interoperability between different systems has allowed journalists to leverage diverse datasets from various sources, enhancing investigative reporting capabilities. As digital storytelling evolves, XML continues to play a crucial role in modern reporting by supporting complex analyses and visualizations, thus enriching the narratives that journalists can present to their audiences.

Related terms

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.

Data Parsing: Data parsing is the process of analyzing a string of symbols in order to convert it into a format that is easier to understand or manipulate, often used in programming and data analysis.

Markup Language: A markup language is a system for annotating a document in a way that is syntactically distinguishable from the text, allowing for formatting and structuring of content.