XML API Tutorial

Extensible markup language, or XML, is used by programmers when they need to transfer data in a specific and customizable format. Creating XML documents that can be used with application programming interfaces (APIs) is a relatively easy and straightforward process. No matter what stage you're at in your programming career, knowing how to create XML documents compatible with APIs can be a useful procedure to learn as it's used across many kinds of websites and Web applications.

Things You'll Need

• Text editing application

Instructions

1. Launch a plain text editing application such as Windows' Notepad or the TextEdit application that's bundled with Mac OS X.

2. Begin the XML document by declaring that it is an XML document and specify which version number:

   <?xml version="1.0"?>

3. Create the header of the first XML field by creating a name for it. Replace the example name with the name you need to use:

   <sports_news>

4. Add fields to the XML data field. Create a new line for each new field.

   <sports_news>
   <headline>Lewis Hamilton Wins the Race</headline>
   <subheading>Another win for the F1 racer</subheading>

5. Continue to create additional fields for the XML document and then close the document with the main data field name:

   <sports_news>
   <headline>Lewis Hamilton Wins the Race</headline>
   <subheading>Another win for the F1 racer</subheading>
   </sports_news>

6. Save the document with a ".XML" file extension and upload it to your Web server where APIs will be able to request data from it.

References

• W3 Schools: XML Tutorial
• Troubleshooters: XML Programming Tutorial