XML for dynamic content?

[Nigel Byrnes]

Hi all

We all know the benefits of representing "static" documents in XML. But
considering where [HTML, VRML, etc] content is to be generated on the
fly, as is frequently done by CGI scripts, is XML suitable for encoding
the output data in these types of applications?

Considering a simple hangman game, the application could either:

1.  receive user-input and generate XML as output, which then has to be
formated
2.  receive user-input and generate format markup language-content as
output
3.  another possibility?

The first option has the advantage of allowing the service to be viewed
in different formats for different clients. For the game's developer,
the second approach is better because the presentation of content can be
optimised for presentation on [a single] client device. Nonetheless,
this level of formating could be achieved with style sheets.

Apart from the obvious, the question is what value does the intermediate
XML-step buy us? Why should the hangman-developer want this intermediate
XML-step? Does anyone have any comments on the use of XML in this
context.

Thanks

Nigel

--
      Nigel Byrnes

                               "We continue..." Pete Tong

Software Engineering and Applications Group,
Philips Research Labs,
Redhill.                           Tel: +44 (0)1293 815578
RH1 5HA.                           Fax: +44 (0)1293 815024
UK.                                GSM: +44 (0)7899 940391
                    Email: byrnes at prl.research.philips.com



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