Final answer:
XML is a useful output option for SPARQL query results because it is both human-readable and machine-readable, provides a structured format for complex data, and is extensible, allowing for precise data representation. Its compatibility with technologies like XSLT and the wide availability of tools for handling XML makes it a versatile choice for data interchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
XML is a useful output option for SPARQL query results for several reasons. First, XML is a widely used data format that is both human-readable and machine-readable, making it easy to understand and process by various applications. Furthermore, XML provides a structured way to represent data which can be helpful when dealing with complex query results. Another advantage of XML is its extensibility; users can define their own tags, which allows for precise representation of the query data structure. Since XML is a standard format, it also means that the results can be easily shared and integrated into other systems or workflows.
Moreover, XML is compatible with other technologies such as XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations), which can be used to transform XML data into other formats like HTML, making it versatile for presenting query results in a user-friendly way. Also, tools that consume XML are abundant, which means it's easier to find libraries and APIs to handle XML in various programming languages. This accessibility encourages interoperability and promotes easier data exchange between systems.