XML

XML for Scientific Computing

C Pozrikidis

XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language.

In scientific computing, we run a code that utilizes parameters and input data. Emphasis is placed on the code, in that data can be generated without much effort by running the code.

In the XML framework, we run (open) a file containing data; the outcome depends on a companion protocol for interpreting the data. Why is this significant? Data files can be shared and interpreted in different ways to achieve a desired outcome.

• A person writes a book while inserting tags according to the XML convention. The text (data) file can be run to produce the same book with different typesettings.
• A person writes a finite-element code that produces output with tags according to the XML convention. The elements can be easily visualized using different graphic programs, and the data can be sent to another person or process to serve as input.
• A conversation is recorded using XML encoding and it may then be printed or sent to a telephone.
• An XML data file is a data template that acquires specific meaning only when the tags are defined.

Examples of XML encoding in scientific computing are:

• Extensible Scientific Interchange Language (XSLI)
• Extensible Data Model and Format (XDMF)
• ChemicalML
• Gateway Application Descriptors

Read more.

Frequently asked questions

• What is an XML parser?

  A parser parses the lines of an XML file and retrieves specific data specified by a sequence of nested tags. The data can be printed in a different file or converted into a scalar, a vector, or a matrix array.

Programs

These notes are accompanied by programs.