Abstract: A method and apparatus for representing two or more related markup language source files in a single delta file is provided. The markup language source files are represented in such a way that the delta file is easily processed to produce one or more merged combinations of the source files. The method and apparatus ensure that any one of the original files can be extracted from the delta file and the delta file remains a valid delta file for any remaining source files. The method and apparatus is adapted to enable the sources files to be aligned with respect to structurally significant elements and textual content so as to reduce repetitions in the delta file of common content. The method and apparatus are suited for use, but not exclusively, with XML documents and files.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for representing two or more related markup language source files in a single delta file is provided. The markup language source files are represented in such a way that the delta file is easily processed to produce one or more merged combinations of the source files. The method and apparatus ensure that any one of the original files can be extracted from the delta file and the delta file remains a valid delta file for any remaining source files. The method and apparatus is adapted to enable the sources files to be aligned with respect to structurally significant elements and textual content so as to reduce repetitions in the delta file of common content. The method and apparatus are suited for use, but not exclusively, with XML documents and files.

Abstract: A method of recording changes to a markup language file which employs application-defined tags. The changes are recorded in a delta file which is also a markup language file providing validation of the recorded changes against substantially the same markup language structure as that of the markup language file being changed. Where the original markup language file is an XML file with a DTD, a DTD can be created for the delta file which substantially follows the DTD of the original markup language file. Strict compliance of the data recorded in the delta file with the delta DTD provides validation of the changes with respect to the original XML file.

Abstract: A method of recording changes to a markup language file which employs application-defined tags. The changes are recorded in a delta file which is also a markup language file providing validation of the recorded changes against substantially the same markup language structure as that of the markup language file being changed. Where the original markup language file is an XML file with a DTD, a DTD can be created for the delta file which substantially follows the DTD of the original markup language file. Strict compliance of the data recorded in the delta file with the delta DTD provides validation of the changes with respect to the original XML file.