This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
End Tag
The end tag functions exactly like a right parenthesis or a closing quotation mark or a right curly brace. It contains no data of its own; it simply ends the most recent (innermost) tag with the same name.
XML requires a matching end tag for each start tag. Not only must they have matching names, but they must also nest properly. The most recently encountered start tag must be paired with the next end tag. If they do not match, it is a fatal error.
Syntax
The end tag contains exactly the same name as the start tag it closes. Simple punctuation distinguishes it from the start tag:
XML
</TAG>
It cannot include attribute assignments or any other content.
Rules
Each end tag must have
the </ character pair
the name
the > character
Alternatively, in the special case of an empty element, the end tag may be fused with the start tag. This results in an empty tag containing
the < character
the name
optional attribute assignments
the /> character pair
Examples of End Tags
|
<Team> . . . </Team> |
Street, city, etc. |
|
<Team> . . . <Player> . . . |
Proper nesting
|
|
<Play> </Play> |
Empty Play element |
|
<Play/> |
Exactly equivalent to the preceding, using an empty tag |
|
<Play speed= "normal"/> |
Empty Play element with speed attribute |
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<A><B> . . . <C/> <C/><B> . . . |
Complex nesting: A contains only B, which |
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<C></C></B></B></A> |
contains data, two empty Cs, and another B. This inner B also has data and a single empty C. All three Cs are equivalent. |
Bad Examples
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<Team>...</team> |
Not a match (case violation) |
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<Team/>. . . </Team> |
End tag paired with self-ending empty start tag
|
|
</Team> </Player> |
Bad nesting |