Microsoft releases more XAML details

Microsoft on Tuesday made more technical information available for XAML, a language for designing the user interface of Web and Windows applications.

The documentation is aimed at other software companies and developers who want to make products that can "read" XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language).

The added technical detail will allow servers from other companies to send information to clients written using XAML, Microsoft said. Non-Microsoft client software will also more easily read XAML.

The information is covered under Microsoft's Open Specification Promise, which is meant to protect third parties from patent infringement.

XAML is the markup language designers use to lay out an application's front end. Microsoft's Silverlight Web browser plug-in for displaying media can render XAML along with JavaScript and HTML.

It's also important technology in Microsoft's strategy to attract more application designers to its Expression line of products. XAML is a lingua franca that designers can use with Expression tools and developers can manipulate with Visual Studio.

The posting of additional technical information is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts around interoperability with products from other vendors, including open-source software.

In a statement, Tom Robertson, Microsoft's general manager of interoperability and standards, said:

"Microsoft's posting of the expanded set of XAML format documentation to assist third parties to access and implement the XAML formats in their own client, server and tool products will help promote interoperability, opportunity and choice across the IT community. Use of the Open Specification Promise assures developers that they can use any Microsoft patents needed to implement all or part of the XAML formats for free, anywhere in the world, now and in the future."

On Tuesday, Microsoft's general counsel Brad Smith is scheduled to talk at the Open Source Business Conference in San Francisco and the company's open-source lab, led by Sam Ramji, is expected to make an announcement.