XML and Bridge

XML = Extensible Markup Language, like HTML but better

Last Update – February 23, 2001

XML is designed to work with structured information. It separates the display of information into two groupings: the content, and the presentation. For a bridge hand, it means storing the hand details (board introduction, board number, dealer, vulnerability, cards, bidding, contract, declarer, play to the tricks etc.) in one content set, and then having one or more stylesheets that will decide what information to display from the content and how to display it. Different stylesheets can take the same content and display it in different ways, such as having large fonts for the visual impaired or changing the layout, perhaps putting the bidding above or below the hand, or leaving it out.

The format of XML definitions to store bridge hands will have a great impact on publication of bridge hands over the next ten years. Perhaps a standard can be developed based on the great work that was done on the portable bridge notation (pbn: see the pbn home page). This section of BridgeMatters is devoted to helping the bridge community create a standard XML definition for bridge hands, and to assist in creating stylesheets to display the hands.

Ian Callahan has provided a link to work he is doing on bridge notation and XML:

Bridge XML Notation Work

If you have information or links to contribute for this, please email xml@bridgematters.com

Discussion on this issue in August 1999:

XML Tags For Bridge Documents