Part 1: Syntax

Syntax is the lowest level of XML. To a large extent the contents of this section focus on the microstructure of XML. By investigating different ways to represent the same structures, the items answer the question, how can XML best be authored for maximum interoperability and convenience? Little of what's discussed here affects the information content of an XML document.

However, just as there are better and worse ways to write C code that produces identical machine code when compiled, so too are there better and worse ways to write XML documents. In this section we explore some of the most useful ways to improve the legibility, maintainability, and extensibility of your XML documents and applications.

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