A markup language is a type of system which annotate a document in text processing on computers. The annotations are generally Visually different from the content. The main uses of these languages are to format the text in the document.
So that, when the document is made ready for display, the markup language disappear. Two among the many marks up languages available right now are XML and XAML. Thus, in this article, we will do a detailed analysis of how the Extensible Markup Language differs from Extensible Application Markup Language.
XML vs XAML
The main difference between XML and XAML is that the former refers to Extensible Markup Language, and the latter refers to Extensible Application Markup Language. While the former is a markup language and is deprived of the very complex mechanism of Standard Generalized Markup Language or SGML, the latter is a subset of XML itself. XML documents are way more flexible in comparison to XAML documents.
XML is considered a highly flexible markup language that has the potential to even replace HTML. However, not all the documents which belong are subjected to Xml are XAML. The use of XML can be found extensively in web applications. This language is generally used to describe other existing markup languages in the market. Its derivation can be traced from Standard Generalized Markup Language or SGML. It is primarily used for creating interactive pages, searching webs and to automate certain web tasks.
XAML is a type of declarative language, which has been derived from XML. Thus, all the documents that come under Xaml are also authentic to XML. Its use is extensive in designing the window’s controls and other web apps. It focuses on the properties of objects, their definition, and the relationship between all of them. It is also used to create, edit, design, and control Windows and web apps, like Silverlight plug-ins. Currently, XAML is available to the Windows platform. But later, it can be moved to other platforms.
Comparison Table Between XML and XAML
| Parameters of Comparison | XML | XAML |
| Subset | All XML documents are not equal to XAML. | All XAML documents are XML documents. |
| Type | Markup Language | Declarative Language |
| Presence | Web applications. | Design and control window, other web apps. |
| Also define | Other existing markup languages. | Properties of objects, definition, and the relationship between them. |
| Derivation | Standard Generalized Markup Language | XML |
| Primary Use | Searching webs to automate certain web tasks, creating interactive pages. | Design, edit, create and control Windows and web apps, like Silverlight plug-ins. |
| Alternative | Can replace HTML. | Available for the Windows platform and other platforms as well. |
What is XML?
The full form of XML is Extensible Markup Language. 1998, XML 1.0 Specification of World Wide Web Consortium are defined as free open standards with rated specifications, called XML. The main targets of XML are generality, simplicity, usability across the web. It comes in a format of textual data. The strong support for various human languages is provided by Unicode.
Documents are the main focus while the design of XML is concerned. This language is used extensively for the representation of structured arbitrary data. Such kinds are used in web services as well. To aid the definition of Extensible Markup Language-based languages, several scheme systems came up.
However, many APIs have also been developed by the programmers in a motto of processing the language data. The majority of industrial data standards have XML schema specifications. Some include OpenTravel Alliance, FpML, National Information Exchange Model, Health Level 7, MISMO.
What is XAML?
The full form of XAML is Extensible Application Markup Language. Originally, the acronym was Extensible Avalon Markup Language. However, the code name for WPF or Windows Presentation Foundation is Avalon. XAML is generally used in .NET Framework 4.0 and .NET Framework 3.0 technologies.
However, extensively in Silverlight, WPF or also called Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, the framework of Windows Runtime XAML and Windows Store apps. This technology is also used in Windows 10 Mobile, Silverlight applications and platform apps of Universal Windows, which is also called Windows Store apps. The elements map of XAML directs to Runtime object instances.
However, it attributes the map to Runtime properties of common language and events on objects. With the help of visual design tools, XAML files can be made, and the Microsoft Expression Blend edited them with the help of hostable WWF or Windows Workflow Foundation, Microsoft Visual Studio and WWF visual designer. Standard text editor can edit and create them as well.
Main Differences Between XML and XAML
- Not all the documents that belong to Xml are XAML. However, all the documents that come under Xaml are authentic XML too.
- XML is considered a markup language. On the other hand, Xaml is considered a declarative application.
- The use of XML is extensive in web applications. On the other hand, Xaml is used extensively to design the window’s controls and other web apps.
- XML is generally used to describe other existing markup languages. However, Xaml puts focus on the definition, properties of objects, and the relationship between them.
- XML has been derived from Standard Generalized Markup Language or SGML. Whereas, Xaml has been derived from XML.
- XML is primarily used for searching webs, creating interactive pages, to automate certain web tasks. However, Xaml is used to design and control Windows and web apps, like Silverlight plug-ins.
- XML, because of its high flexibility, is set to replace HTML. However, XAML presently is available for the Windows platform and can be moved to other platforms later.
Conclusion
Many laymen get baffled when they are asked about the differences between XML and XAML systems. The basic difference between the two is in their function, origin, characteristics and application. XML is a markup language constituting a set of rules basically for encoding. It encodes documents in a machine-readable and human-readable format.
However, XAML is an XML-based language that is declarative by characteristic. It is developed by Microsoft and is used for the initialisation of structured objects and values. This markup language is available under the Open Specification Promise of Microsoft. Thus, when you are asked about the difference between XML and XAML, do not get confused and answer with confidence.
References
- https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/07378830510586757/full/html
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=v03elGOy9ogC&oi=fnd&pg=PT4&dq=xml+and+xaml&ots=WQPBLWgkhS&sig=l3fWg723QLR2D-ppwPCMpB3Z5ks