Summary
To say that this chapter just scratched the surface of XML is an understatement. However, understanding even a little of how JavaScript and XML work together is a preview of the direction of the W3C DOM and the future of JavaScript. The capability to pull data out of an XML file is a bit easier than pulling it out of a database using PHP, ASP, or CGI as intermediaries. Using server-side JavaScript and a well-formed XML file, you can perform just about anything that you can with files stored in more traditional databases. (Getting data into an XML file and storing it, though, is a horse of a different color.)
At the point of this writing, all of JavaScript and the W3C DOM are on the verge of providing a robust language for manipulating data stored in XML files. Designers are encouraged to follow the changes and to see how XML can be used effectively for their clients, and many clients are now demanding the XML structures for their data. Taking some time to learn more about XML is essential for keeping up with all of the changes taking place on the web, especially in storing and retrieving structured data.