Happy 10th anniversary, XML!

The W3C Recommendation Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 was initially published on the 10th of February 1998. Since then, XML has proliferated at a rapid pace, becoming the predominant method for electronic data interchange between information systems, and we can safely describe it as universally applicable, fast, scalable and durable integration code. XML and its related standards and tools are continuing to enable data interoperability, content manipulation, content sharing and reuse, document assembly, document security and access control, document filtering, and document formatting for all types of devices and applications. As we celebrate its tenth anniversary, we have a great opportunity to look back and reflect on the role XML has played in the technical ecosystem in which it functions, and to acknowledge the fact that it will take its place among the technical standards having the greatest impact on the world in which we live.