XML and HTML have differences that can determine one from the other. XML is used in many ways but there are three ways where XML is used more than others are. XML also has standards that will be discussed. This presents many questions concerning XML and HTML and their differences. According to Walsh XML is a markup language that contains structured information. The information contains words and pictures. With some kind of indication of what role those words and pictures play. Almost every document there is has some sort of structure. A markup language is a mechanism that identifies structures within a document. The XML defines a way to add markup to documents (Norman Walsh, 2010). A number of related specifications arise when defining XML. XML (Extensible Markup Language) defines the syntax of XML. XPointer (XML Pointer Language and XLink) XML Language defines a standard way to represent links between resources. XML has mechanisms for links between several resources and links for read-only resources. XSL (Extensible Style Language defines the standard style sheet language for XML (Norman Marsh, 2010). HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a markup language that is used for the developing web pages. HTML is a way to show the structure of text-based information in a document by setting certain text headings, paragraphs, lists, and to replace that text with forms that interact, images, and other objects as well (PRLog, 2008).
Even though they are very similar there are differences between XML and HTML. One thing that sticks out above the rest between XML and HTML is the predefined elements and attributes whose behavior is specified, where XML is not. Writer's of the documents can make their own XML words that target their exact needs. XML vocabularies now exist for many industries and applications from financial filings (PRLog, 2008).. Also XML introduces the concept of regular ness. The regular ness rules of XML is to rid some of the ambiguity inherent in processing markup languages like HTML by enforcing rules like mandating that all values have to be in quotations (PRLog, 2008). XML is the universal format for structured documents and also data on the web. Some of the standards and guidelines for XML, the base specifications are XML 1.0 and Namespaces. XML standards also can be discovered by viewing the American National Standards Institute’s search feature. Section 508 of the rehabilitation Act requires agencies to make the electronic information accessible to individuals with disabilities (XML, 2001). XML is simple and a very flexible format that came from SGML. XML was first designed to meet the challenges of large electronic publishing. XML has an important role in the exchange many types of data. Considering XML and the different working groups that are related include XML Coordination Group, XML Core Working Group, XSL Working Group, The Efficient XML Interchange Working Group, XML Binary Characterization Working Group, XML Processing Model Working Group, XML Linking Working Group, XML Query Working Group, XML Schema Working Group, and Service Modeling Language Working Group (W3C, 2003).

XML Binary Characterization Working Group is not to do any technical work on developing, or choosing a format, but it demonstrates that these efforts would be worth it. This group enables precise measurements to be made of the benefits of a binary interchange format over the current methods of textual interchange (W3C, 2003).