In document schemas, the xml:lang attribute is used to specify the language of the document. This attribute is a crucial part of XML markup, allowing for language-specific formatting and processing.
The xml:lang attribute can be used to specify a language code, such as "en" for English or "fr" for French. This code is typically a two-letter ISO 639-1 code.
Using xml:lang in document schemas helps to ensure that language-specific content is processed correctly, whether it's for formatting, searching, or other purposes. This is particularly important for documents that contain content in multiple languages.
By including xml:lang in your markup, you can take advantage of language-specific features and avoid potential language-related issues.
When to Use XML Lang
You should use the xml:lang attribute to indicate the language of content directly associated with the XML document. This includes human-readable text and other content, such as embedded objects like images or sound files.
xml:lang is defined by XML 1.0 as a common attribute that can be used to indicate the language of any element's contents. It applies to sub-elements, attribute values, and even embedded objects.
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Use xml:lang when the language value refers to the content of the XML document directly. For example, if you have a paragraph in French, you would use xml:lang="fr" on the paragraph element.
Here are some examples of when to use xml:lang:
- Human-readable text
- Embedded objects like images or sound files
- Sub-elements
- Attribute values
On the other hand, if the language value refers to external content, you should define a custom element or attribute, rather than using xml:lang. This includes cases like:
- Indicating the language of a DVD soundtrack
- Storing customer language preferences
- Pointing to a version of a document in another language
In these cases, you want to store language information, but the language doesn't refer to the content of the XML document directly.
Using @Conref or @Conkeyref
The processor must use the effective value of the @xml:lang attribute from the referenced element when using the @conref or @conkeyref attribute to include content.
This means that if the referenced element has an explicit value for the @xml:lang attribute, that value will be applied to the included content. For example, if a note has an id attribute set to "mynote" and is included in a section that sets the @xml:lang attribute to "fr", the note will have an effective value for the @xml:lang attribute of "fr".
Recommended read: Well-formed Element
If the referenced element does not have an explicit value for the @xml:lang attribute, the processor will default to using the same value that is used for topics that do not set the @xml:lang attribute. This is known as standard @xml:lang inheritance.
In the case where the referenced element does not have an explicit value for the @xml:lang attribute, the processor will obtain the effective value from the parent element that sets the @xml:lang attribute. For instance, if the referenced element is a note and its parent section sets the @xml:lang attribute to "fr", the note will inherit the value "fr" for its @xml:lang attribute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are JSON and XML languages?
JSON is a data format, not a programming language, while XML is a markup language that defines data rules. Both are used to structure and exchange data, but serve different purposes.
Is XML built in Python?
No, XML is not built into Python, but Python has a built-in library called ElementTree that makes it easy to work with XML files. This library simplifies navigation, modification, and removal of XML data.
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