Using XML as programming language

Of course we know: XML is a data format. It is machine generable and human readable. But what is the idea with using it as programming language?

In fact the idea growth with our linux based PC terminals. TRM416, TRM816 - very rough embedded line for using in harsh and hard conditions. And programmable under linux operating system in an embedded version.

If the whole world would be able to write the software under linux - this would be no problem. But in fact, we learned the world is not full of experienced linux programmers. So it was time to make things easier....

In the beginning was a detailed study of what customers do with the terminals. The answer was simple: any kind of data capturing and data collection, machine control. In fact this contains some really equal activities: Data input via keyboard, barcode or RFID / proximity reader, some output inside LC display and some communication mostly via TCP networking port. Sometimes direct SQL database access...

Based on this results - our idea was born:

writing a small linux software which works as XML interpreter. The interpreter supports the most often used things of an application software and describes them as XML command tags, e.g. for display output, user input, interface in- and output, networking or direct SQL access. The result can look like this:

Based on the linux XML interpreter we put a Windows PC software to the stuff. Using as graphical XML interface for creating the individual application. The user specify his application with the PC software, the software creates an XML file, the XML file can be uploaded into the the terminal - and the terminal interpreter runs the XML file as programm during runtime.

Sounds easy. Is easy - and the most advantage: with using the XML interpreter customers can create their own application - without any expert programming. Without any compiler or the knowledge of other expert details. It is not needed to know C, C++ or any other programming language. Simply use the XML PC generator, create and download your application - and run it on the terminal. Thats all...

See more inside our solutions page: XML configuration toolkit and programming tool

Or directly here with a special website.