Choosing an XML Editor
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With the ever increasing need of an Ajax based applications today. Web developers are demanded to build Ajax based applications faster. One of the tools that could aid in the development of the Ajax based application is an XML Editor. This small application is very helpful in building an Ajax based application as it could easily gauge if the coding of XML is valid or not.
If you are looking for one online, chances are you have already encountered more than enough XML editors. There are probably hundreds of XML editors out there. Although they all look the same at face value, there are some differences in them that should be considered. Based on your skills and orientation, you should be able to select the right editor that could cater to your need.
There are three types of XML Editors:
XML Only Editors – With the name itself, you should be able to encode XML and in real time have the functionality evaluated by the editor. It offers a very simple interface without any additional functions. There are two types of XML only editors:
Code View Editor – The common editor wherein you work with XML alone. The coding of XML is displayed and you could easily influence the whole coding as you work in the application right there.
WYSIWYF Editor – working on Code View Editor may have its advantage but it doesn’t offer a view of the coding that you have worked on. The WYSIWYG editor clearly does that. As soon as you’re done with the coding, you can let this application run the code and see them in either tree form or icons with small tags.
Text Editors – This type of XML editor works like the plain XML Editor. But instead of staying with XML, it goes beyond by providing additional functions. From validation to syntax, users can easily integrate these functions to Text Editors. There are even Text Editors that has the ability to auto-complete some of the functions in XML. The validation feature of Text Editor is noted which has become one of the reasons why this type of editor is chosen.
Word Editor – MS Office and Open Office applications could be used as XML editors. These provides really simple XML interface as word processors could easily read XML. Although the actual code is not displayed, developers should easily see the actual rendering of the coding.
Aside from the types of editors, your budget will greatly suggest what XML editor that you should be using:
Licensed – This type of XML editor requires a fee to be used. Some web developers question why you should get an XML editor in the first place wherein there are hundreds of free editors online. The reason is pretty simple: support for paid applications is better compared to free applications. It also has robust features that are of great use for developing Ajax based applications.
Free and Open Source – Actually there are more free XML editors that the licensed. It’s free, it’s out there but support is minimal. But it’s just an editor so the coding is still up to you. Choosing this type of XML editor depends on your budget and the ability to adjust to the application faster.
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