1.3 XML: metadata - fulltext

Agora employs the open exchange format XML for data integration and communication. XML is suited in particular to the distribution of information between differing DP systems. The data model described above is expressed through annotation and structuring of the documents using tags (tagged data). Agora uses the XML format not only to describe metadata (structural elements and attributes), but also to display full text content. Using XML, metadata, as well as texts, can be linked to a document and imported to the system in this format. An index about both data sources enables combined research in both areas.

The document decription, generated in XML, persists as long as the document exists within the system. The way a document is conveyed as a web presence, which information out of the XML description is effectively referred to the user, depends on the creative and formal description of the Agora templates, which the web designer can configure for his purposes.