[June 30, 2000] XML in Physics: "The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is quickly emerging as the lingua franca of the Internet and computing. Going beyond HTML to provide ways of marking content and meaning, XML is simpler to use than its parent, SGML (Standard General Markup Language). Major efforts are underway, mostly in the electronic commerce and publishing arenas, to develop XML standards capturing both the syntax and semantics of documents and data. The capabilities of XML point to several possible applications for physics: Standard data formats: define a set of standard XML formats for physics data; also be able to define XML templates for non-XML data. (1) Document formats: standard formats for publication of physics articles. (2) Physics semantics: capture the basic concepts used in physics. (3) The concentration of the MICPC is on this last category. The complete set of XML representations of physics concepts is termed "Physics Markup Language", or PhysicsML. It is an effort that runs closely parallel to that of PyCES (as discussed above). Such "physics metadata" include: (1) abstract entities: particles, extended bodies, fluids, ... (2) concrete entities: electrons, protons, cubic lattices, ... (3) space and time (4) measurements and units (5) forces and relations: electromagnetism, momentum, ... The first version of the PhysicsML Document Type Definition (DTD) will be available in the near future. . ."
Note also the use of SGML/XML in technical publishing for physics [see bibliography].
References:
PyCES and PhysicsML web site. [cache]
Joanne Bogart (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center - SLAC) presented "XML and the Real (Simulated) World of High Energy Physics" at XML DevCon 2000 [June 2000]. "Experimental high energy physics (HEP) is done by means of detectors: complicated, expensive one-of-a-kind pieces of apparatus. Simulations are essential to optimize the design of a new detector or to understand the behavior of an existing one. In this session, we will explore how XML provides a superior means of describing detectors for simulations and other programs. . ."
