Introduction to XLink and XPointer

Introduction to XLink and XPointer

XLink defines a standard way to create hyperlinks in XML documents.

XPointer enables hyperlinks to point to more specific parts (pieces) of the XML document.

The basics you should have

Here are the basics you should have before you take this tutorial:

• HTML / XHTML
• XML / XML namespace
• Xpath

If you would like to learn about these projects first, please visit these tutorials on our home page. Home .

What is XLink?

XLink is an abbreviation for XML Linking Language XLink is the language used to create hyperlinks in XML documents XLink is similar to HTML links - but more powerful Any element in an XML document can become an XLink XLink supports easy links, as well as extended links that link multiple resources together With XLink, links can be defined outside the linked file XLink is the W3C recommended standard

What is XPointer?

XPointer is an abbreviation for XML Pointer Language XPointer enables hyperlinks to point to more specific parts of the XML document (pieces) XPointer uses XPath expressions to locate in XML documents XPointer is the W3C recommended standard

XLink and XPointer are W3C standards

On June 27, 2001, XLink was established as the W3C recommendation.

XPointer became the W3C recommendation on March 25, 2003.

You can read more about the XML standard in our W3C Tutorials.

XLink and XPointer browser support

The browser supports XLink and XPointer only to a minimum.

There is some support for XLink in Mozilla 0.98 plus, Netscape 6.02 plus, and Internet Explorer 6.0. Earlier browsers did not support XLink at all.

Related tutorials

XPath tutorial