Difference Between XML and XSD Format

We browse dozens of pages each day. With time, browsing has become very easy as well as interesting. It all looks pretty simple, but there is a complicated system behind the World Wide Web. From adding text to picture and audio to video, a proper system markup system is required.

There are several key differences between the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and XML Schema Document (XSD). The former of the two does not define any usable tags or elements. On the other hand, an XSD does define the elements and tags in your document.

XSD ensures that the data is interpreted properly. Another chief difference between these two formats is the validation factor. An XSD document is always validated as XML, but you cannot be so sure about the opposite scenario.

XML is totally responsible for how well the document is formed. But it is not enough to satisfy the user, because even a well-formed document may carry errors. XSD also holds the edge over XML as far as the error catching is cornered. The first format catches errors effectively, while the second does not.

Instructions

  • 1

    XML

    Extensible Markup Language (XML) can be termed as a standard or a set of rules that govern the procedure of encoding documents into an electric format. It has a very close relationship with HTML in the internet usage.

    XML is responsible only for defining the structure of the web document. However, it has nothing to do with how the document will be displayed. HTML handles the displaying of the document instead.

    This language defines no usable elements or tags. The user has the freedom to create any tag to describe the tags that are present in the XML document. However, you need to follow the correct structure in order to take advantage of this feature.

    Image Courtesy: cafeconleche.org

  • 2

    XSD

    XML Schema Document (XSD) is one of various XML schema languages. It defines what could be included inside the page. One of the major benefits of having well defined tags and elements is that the information in the document will be properly interpreted.

    XSD’s biggest strength is that it is written in the XML. So, those who are already familiar with XML don’t need to learn another language. An XSD follows the HTML structure.

    Image Courtesy: pic.dhe.ibm.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


four + = 6