XML in .NET is not that scary

I have to admit... I don't use XML that often in anything I do. I mean, I use Web services frequently, but you don't need anything more than a fundamental understanding of XML to use them (that and an understanding about efficiency in the resulting SOAP messages).

But when I do have a need to use XML for something, whether it be writing or reading an RSS feed or making some little widget to write and read configuration files, it never ceases to amaze me how easy it is. I think it's one of those things for Web developers that, if the practical example is there, would be learned right off the bat. I had been using .NET (ASP.NET, specifically) for more than a year before I had any reason to think about XML in .NET.

Thinking back to the various books I was reading at the time, honestly, I skipped over most of the XML chapters. Sorry authors... you just didn't give any compelling reasons to read them. Hopefully authors of future beginning ASP.NET books (or new editions) will come up with more practical applications to encourage n00bz to dive in and use this stuff. It's useful for so many things.

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