Microsoft to push XML as Java alternative

Microsoft will soon propose a derivative of the Extensible Markup Language(XML) to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that will enable Web browsersto function as sophisticated front-end clients. The move would allow Webbrowsers to create the kinds of forms usually associated with Java, but would bypass the need for Sun's programming language. Microsoft is attracted to XML because it is natively supported in Internet Explorer 4.0and the company is hoping to slow the momentum of Java. Microsoft alsofeels that Java is not mature enough for building client-side businessapplications.

Netscape, for its part, seems to think the Microsoft initiative is a greatidea.

"If Microsoft does make a submission to W3C, we will be excited about any progress that happens," said Eric Byunn, a product manager at Netscape