Standards That Build on XML - The J2EE 1.4 Tutorial

Standards That Build on XML

The following standards and proposals build on XML. Because XML is basically a language-definition tool, these specifications use it to define standardized languages for specialized purposes.

Extended Document Standards

These standards define mechanisms for producing extremely complex documents--books, journals, magazines, and the like--using XML.

SMIL

Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language is a W3C recommendation that covers audio, video, and animations. It also addresses the difficult issue of synchronizing the playback of such elements.

For more information on SMIL, see http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-smil.

MathML

Mathematical Markup Language is a W3C recommendation that deals with the representation of mathematical formulas.

For more information on MathML, see http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-MathML.

SVG

Scalable Vector Graphics is a W3C recommendation that covers the representation of vector graphic images. (Vector graphic images are built from commands that say things such as "draw a line (square, circle) from point xi to point m,n" rather than encoding the image as a series of bits. Such images are more easily scalable, although they typically require more processing time to render.)

For more information on SVG, see http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/.

DrawML

Drawing Meta Language is a W3C note that covers two-dimensional images for technical illustrations. It also addresses the problem of updating and refining such images.

For more information on DrawML, see http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE-drawml.

e-Commerce Standards

These standards are aimed at using XML in the world of business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) commerce.

ICE

Information and Content Exchange is a protocol for use by content syndicators and their subscribers. It focuses on "automating content exchange and reuse, both in traditional publishing contexts and in business-to-business relationships."

For more information on ICE, see http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE-ice.

ebXML

The Electronic Business with XML standard aims at creating a modular electronic business framework using XML. It is the product of a joint initiative by the United Nations (UN/CEFACT) and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

For more information on ebXML, see http://www.ebxml.org/.

cxml

Commerce XML is a RosettaNet (www.rosettanet.org) standard for setting up interactive online catalogs for different buyers, where the pricing and product offerings are company-specific. cxml includes mechanisms to handle purchase orders, change orders, status updates, and shipping notifications.

For more information on cxml, see http://www.cxml.org/

UBL

Universal Business Language is an OASIS initiative aimed at compiling a standard library of XML business documents (purchase orders, invoices, etc.) that are defined with XML Schema definitions.

For more information on UBL, see http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/ubl.