18. XML Attribute Limitations

Attempt to use elements to describe data. Use attributes only to provide information that is not relevant to data.

Limitations

• Cannot contain multiple values (child elements can)
• Not easily expandable (for future changes)
• Cannot describe structures (child elements can)
• More difficult to manipulate by program code
• Not easy to test against a Document Type Definition (DTD) which is used to define the legal elements of an XML document