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Format

Extensible Markup Language

Summary

Name
Extensible Markup Language
Version
1.0
Identifiers
  • MIME: text/xml
  • PUID: fmt/101
  • Apple Uniform Type Identifier: public.xml
Format type
Text (Mark-up)
Disclosure
Full
Description
The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general purpose markup language for creating other, special purpose, markup languages, and is a simplified subset of SGML. The structure and grammar of an XML document can be defined using a markup declaration, such as a Document Type Definition (DTD) or XML schema. A XML document consists of nested elements, each of which may have attributes and content. It typically begins with an XML declaration, defining the XML version and character set used. This may be followed by a Document Type declaration, containing or pointing to a markup declaration for the class of document. An XML document is said to be well-formed if it conforms to the XML specification; it is said to be valid if it additionally complies with a defined markup declaration. The formatting and transformation of XML documents can be controlled using the Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL).
File extensions
xml
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
World Wide Web Consortium

Relationships

Has lower priority than
Has priority over
Is supertype of

Internal signatures

XML 1.0

Note
XML declaration and version. Signature updated November 2011 to allow an optional 3 byte undisclosed beginning of file offset to allow for UTF-8 byte order mark (BOM) that may precede the XML declaration ([<?xml version="])

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
3
Byte Sequence
3C3F786D6C2076657273696F6E3D(22|27)312E30(22|27)
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V94

    Release date
    17 September 2018

    Extensible Markup Language: Corrected priority relationship between XML and XHTML. XHTML is more specific so should have priority. Error reported by Nationaal Archief, and NedGraphics b.v.

  • Updated in V72

    Release date
    12 November 2013

    Extensible Markup Language 1.0: Added application/xml as a MIME type as suggested by the Central Digital Archive of Slovakia.

  • Updated in V55

    Release date
    4 January 2012

    Extensible Markup Language 1.0: Existing signature refined through PRONOM Research and submission from National Library of New Zealand.

  • Updated in V49

    Release date
    5 April 2011

    Extensible Markup Language 1.0: Priority information changed to avoid potential clash with Cascading Style Sheet identification.

  • Updated in V31

    Release date
    5 March 2010

    Extensible Markup Language: Signature now works with both possible variations in the XML specification.