Simple XML

Simple XML is a variation of XML containing only elements. All attributes are converted into elements. Not having attributes or other xml elements such as the XML declaration / DTDs allows the use of simple and fast parsers. This format is also compatible with mainstream XML parsers.

For example:

  <Agenda>     <type>gardening</type>     <Activity>       <type>Watering</type>       <golf-course>         <time>6:00</time>        </golf-course>       <yard>         <time>7:00</time>       </yard>     </Activity>     <Activity>        <type>cooking</type>       <lunch>          <time>12:00</time>       </lunch>     </Activity>   </Agenda> 

would represent:

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>   <Agenda type="gardening">     <Activity type="Watering">       <golf-course time="6:00"/>       <yard time="7:00"/>     </Activity>     <Activity type="cooking">       <lunch time="12:00"/>     </Activity>   </Agenda> 

Simple XML uses a simple XPath list for validation. The XML snippet above for example, would be represented by:

 /Agenda/type|(Activity/type|(*/time)) 

or a bit more human readable as:

 /Agenda/type  /Agenda/Activity/type  /Agenda/Activity/*/time 

This allows the XML to be processed as a stream (without creating an object model in memory) with fast validation.

1. http://www.w3.org/XML/simple-XML.html