What is the main advantage of using XML over HTML?

The main advantage of using XML over HTML lies in XML's greater flexibility in data representation. XML, which stands for eXtensible Markup Language, is designed to store and transport data. It allows for the creation of custom tags that can be tailored to fit specific data types and structures, making it highly adaptable for various applications. This flexibility enables developers to define their own data structure, creating a semantic representation of information that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

In contrast, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is primarily focused on the presentation of web content rather than the data structure itself. HTML provides a fixed set of tags that are primarily concerned with how information is displayed in a web browser. While HTML is powerful for structuring content on the web, it does not offer the same level of customizability and data interchange capabilities that XML provides.

This flexibility makes XML a preferred choice in scenarios where complex data needs to be shared across different systems, such as in web services, data feeds, and APIs. By using XML, developers can create clear and robust systems for data exchange, accommodating changes in data structure without the need for restructuring entire applications.