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Why is the > symbol a reserved character?

• From: "Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>
• To: "xml-dev@lists.xml.org" <xml-dev@lists.xml.org>
• Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 08:42:43 -0400

Hi Folks,

1. I understand why the < symbol in this element's data could confuse an XML Parser --

     <equation>if A < B then</equation>

-- and therefore it must be escaped:

     <equation>if A &lt; B then</equation>


2. I understand why the & symbol in this element's data could confuse an XML Parser --

     <Publisher>Harper & Row</Publisher>

-- and therefore it must be escaped:

     <Publisher>Harper &amp; Row</Publisher>


3. I understand why the ' symbol in this attribute's data could confuse an XML Parser --

     <House color='It's red!'>

-- and therefore it must be escaped:

     <House color='It&apos;s red!'>


4. I understand why the " symbol in this attribute's data could confuse an XML Parser --

     <House description="He said: "Wow!"">

-- and therefore it must be escaped:

     <House description="He said: &quot;Wow!&quot;">


5. I am unable to think of an example in which the > symbol could confuse an XML Parser. Would you provide an example please?

/Roger

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Why is the > symbol a reserved character?
    • From: David Carlisle <davidc@nag.co.uk>
  • Re: Why is the > symbol a reserved character?
    • From: David Carlisle <davidc@nag.co.uk>
  • Re: Why is the > symbol a reserved character?
    • From: Michael Kay <mike@saxonica.com>