Simple XML is a variation of XML containing only elements. All attributes are converted into elements. Not having attributes or other xml elements such as the XML declaration / DTDs allows the use of simple and fast parsers. This format is also compatible with mainstream XML parsers.

Structure

for example:

would represent:

Validation

Simple XML uses a simple xpath list for validation. The XML snippet above for example, would be represented by:

or a bit more human readable as:

This allows the XML to be processed as a stream (without creating an object model in memory) with fast validation.