CDATA Sections in XML

Understanding CDATA

In XML, a CDATA (Character Data) section is a special markup that encloses data within a script or element content. It prevents the parser from interpreting the enclosed data as anything other than character data, ensuring that it is treated as raw text.

Purpose and Usage

CDATA sections are primarily used to include data that may otherwise be mistaken for markup or reserved characters. For instance, it is useful when inserting scripts or XML fragments that contain characters like "<", ">", or "&", which could be misinterpreted by the parser.

By using CDATA sections, you can prevent the parser from processing the enclosed data, ensuring that it is rendered as is. This is particularly important when dealing with sensitive data or when you need to preserve the original formatting of the text.