3.2 Internal Document Format: XML

Given these considerations, we find that an internal document format based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language: http://www.w3c.org/XML/), complemented by XSL (eXtensible Style Language: http://www.w3c.org/Style/XSL/), will be the most useful and flexible solution. The combination gives a direct method of presentation in browsers that support it. It also supports translation to other needed formats, such as: with MATHML (Math Markup Language: http://www.w3c.org/Math/), L^ATEX and POSTSCRIPT.

Additionally, we will employ the XML application OPENMATH (http://www.openmath.org/) (or the content model of MATHML) to represent the mathematical formulas themselves. OPENMATH allows us to represent the semantics of the mathematical formula -- what it means and not just how it looks. This aspect is essential to enable the use of these formulas in any other way besides looking at them. Further, OPENMATH is being developed as an interchange format for mathematical information and reader modules are expected for many different applications such as computer algebra, text formatting and graphics systems.