markup language
Let an agent explain what a markup language is and how it differs from programming languages and data formats, identify a language from its syntax, relay specifications and standards bodies, and route detailed questions to the specific language entry.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain what a markup language is and how it differs from programming languages and data formats, identify a language from its syntax, relay specifications and standards bodies, and route detailed questions to the specific language entry.
A system for annotating text or data with tags that describe its structure, meaning or presentation, so that software can process it; examples include HTML for web pages, XML as a general framework for structured documents and data, LaTeX for typesetting and lightweight languages such as Markdown for plain-text writing.
What it is for: Describing structure and presentation of documents and data for machines and people.
It can be identify a markup language from syntax; explain the concept and kinds; relay specifications and standards; route to the specific language.
Distinguishing features
Annotation of content with tags
Descriptive, presentational or procedural kinds
Governed by specifications
Human-readable text
What it looks like
Not visible in itself; text interspersed with tags in angle brackets, backslashes or punctuation conventions.
How it is recognised
Tags or symbols mixed with content
Specification defines the vocabulary and rules
Programming languages execute; serialisation formats such as JSON carry data without markup
Related models
is a kind of - a formal language
includes - the most used example
is confused with - executes rather than annotates
is related to - what it produces
In practice
Families and kinds
SGML and XML frameworks
HTML and XHTML for the web
XML-based languages for specific domains
TeX and LaTeX for typesetting
lightweight markup such as Markdown and reStructuredText
historical and proprietary markup
Identifiers
media type such as text/html and application/xml IANA registry
specification W3C, ISO or community per language
Standards and regulation
W3C and WHATWG specifications for HTML and XML
ISO 8879 for SGML
IANA media type registry
Accessibility standards for web markup
Failure modes and hazards
Malformed documents
Security issues such as injection through markup
Confusing markup with programming or data formats
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Concept What markup is.
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is a markup language, and how does it differ from programming languages and data formats? definition
- Is the question about markup in general or a specific language? boundary
Kinds
Kinds.
Kinds
Kinds.
- What kinds of markup exist, descriptive, presentational and procedural, and what are examples? definition
- Which entry fits the specific language? action
Identify Recognising a language.
Practice.
Syntax
Syntax.
Syntax
Syntax.
- How is a markup language recognised from its syntax and declarations? action
- Which specification governs it? provenance
Tools
Processing tools.
Tools
Tools.
- Which parsers, validators and converters process markup? provenance
- Which entry fits a specific tool? action
Use Design and use.
Application.
Design
Designing markup.
Design
Design.
- How are markup vocabularies designed and validated, for example with schemas? provenance
- Which entry fits XML schema? action
Security
Security and accessibility.
Security
Security.
- What security and accessibility issues arise in markup, in general terms? provenance
- Which entry fits web security? action
Context History and standards.
Context.
History
History.
History
History.
- How did markup develop from typesetting codes through SGML to HTML and XML? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Standards
Standards bodies.
Standards
Standards.
- Which bodies maintain markup standards, and how do they work? provenance
- Which entry fits the W3C? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should lightweight markup be a separate entry?
- How should specifications be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming many specific languages; should they be split off?