XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a W3C-recommended general-purpose markup language for creating special-purpose markup languages. It is capable of describing many different kinds of data. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of data across different systems, particularly systems connected via the Internet. XML allows more control over data and is instumental in the use of RDF, RSS, XHTML and SVG. VTC Author, Mark Long guides you through the first steps of utilizing XML for your data and your websites. Whether you are building an RSS feed for a podcast or building a Java based program, this tutorial will give you the foundation to move ahead. To begin learning today, simply click on one of the Introduction to XML lessons.