XML Schema
XML Schema is a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard for defining the structure, content, and data types of XML documents. It provides a way to describe and validate XML data, ensuring it conforms to specific rules and constraints. XML Schema is more powerful and expressive than older validation methods like DTD (Document Type Definition), supporting namespaces, data types, and complex structures.
Developers should learn XML Schema when working with XML-based data exchange, configuration files, or web services (e.g., SOAP) that require strict validation and interoperability. It is essential for ensuring data integrity in applications that rely on XML, such as in enterprise systems, data serialization, or document processing, where consistent and error-free data is critical.