Frequently Asked Questions about XML Notepad

May 15, 1999

• Why should I use XML Notepad?
• Why is Microsoft releasing this product?
• How do I enter processing instructions in XML Notepad?
• Can I use international characters in my data?
• Can I create a DTD in XML Notepad?
• Does XML Notepad perform DTD validation?
• Why do I need Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 1 or higher to use XML Notepad?
• Where can I find more information on XML?
• Does XML Notepad produce documents that are compliant with the XML 1.0 specifications?
• How can developers display the structured application they create in XML Notepad?

Why should I use XML Notepad?

Microsoft® XML Notepad enables you to create data sets quickly and easily. XML-based data is displayed graphically in XML Notepad so you don't have to spend time explaining the structure of your data set. XML Notepad saves you time and effort, allowing you to place a greater emphasis on creating your applications than on typing syntax.

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Why is Microsoft releasing this product?

We are releasing this product to help developers and authors interested in creating XML-based applications by giving them a utility that makes creating prototype data sets very easy. It also demonstrates how the MSXML parser can be leveraged in creating applications.

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How do I enter processing instructions in XML Notepad?

Currently processing instructions cannot be entered via XML Notepad. Processing instructions can be added by opening the XML document in an external editor such as Notepad.

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Can I use international characters in my data?

You can support international characters in your data by including the following XML declaration in your XML document:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>

Like processing instructions, the XML declaration cannot be entered via XML Notepad and must be added in an external editor such as Notepad.

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Can I create a DTD in XML Notepad?

The current version of XML Notepad does not support the creation of DTDs (Document Type Definitions). It does however support the creation of XML Schemas, which are expressed in XML syntax.

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Does XML Notepad perform DTD validation?

If you have Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.0 installed on your computer, you can perform DTD or XML Schema validation on your files.

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Why do I need Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 1 or higher to use XML Notepad?

Internet Explorer 4.0 Service Pack 1 and higher versions include the Microsoft XML parser that XML Notepad uses for parsing XML documents.

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Where can I find more information on XML?

You can find more information on XML at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) site at http://www.w3.org , and at Microsoft's site http://msdn.microsoft.com/xml/default.asp .

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Does XML Notepad produce documents that are compliant with the XML 1.0 specifications?

Yes, all documents authored using XML Notepad are compliant with XML 1.0.

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How can developers display the structured application they create in XML Notepad?

XML Notepad lets you create and edit XML in a graphical environment so you are continuously viewing the structure of your XML data as you work. Internet Explorer 5 can also be used to view the XML files created in XML Notepad. See Browsing XML Documents in Internet Explorer 5 for more information.

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