XPath 3.1
XPath 3.1 is a query language for selecting nodes from XML documents, defined by the W3C as part of the XQuery and XSLT standards. It extends earlier versions with enhanced functions, operators, and support for JSON and maps, enabling complex data extraction and transformation. It is widely used in XML processing, web scraping, and data integration scenarios.
Developers should learn XPath 3.1 when working with XML or JSON data in applications like web scraping, configuration files, or data transformation pipelines, as it provides powerful and efficient querying capabilities. It is essential for tasks in XSLT transformations, XQuery databases, and tools like Selenium for web automation, where precise node selection is required. Its support for modern data structures makes it versatile for handling both structured and semi-structured data.