What is XML?XML stands for eXtensible Markup LanguageXML is a markup language much like HTMLXML was designed to store and transport dataXML was designed to be self-descriptiveXML is a W3C RecommendationThe XML language has no predefined tags.XML allows you to define your own custom tags unlike HTML that has pre-defined tags.With XML, the author must define both the tags and the document structure.Most XML applications will work as expected even if new data is added (or removed).XML is platform and language neutral and independent which means it will work with most operating systems and programming languages.XML Simplifies ThingsXML simplifies data sharingXML simplifies data transportXML simplifies platform changesXML simplifies data availabilityMany computer systems contain data in incompatible formats. Exchanging data between incompatible systems (or upgraded systems) is a time-consuming task for web developers. Large amounts of data must be converted, and incompatible data is often lost.XML stores data in plain text format. This provides a software- and hardware-independent way of storing, transporting, and sharing data.XML also makes it easier to expand or upgrade to new operating systems, new applications, or new browsers, without losing data.With XML, data can be available to all kinds of "reading machines" like people, computers, voice machines, news feeds, etc.