What Are Topic Maps? (O'Reilly) [LWN.net]

Lars Marius Garshol introduces topic maps for organizing XML encoded information. "When XML is introduced into an organization it is usually used for one of two purposes: either to structure the organization's documents or to make that organization's applications talk to other applications. These are both useful ways of using XML, but they will not help anyone find the information they are looking for. What changes with the introduction of XML is that the document processes become more controllable and can be automated to a greater degree than before, while applications can now communicate internally and externally. But the big picture, something that collects the key concepts in the organization's information and ties it all together, is nowhere to be found. This is where topic maps come in."

(Log in to post comments)