What structure does XML utilize?

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) utilizes a tree structure where data is organized in a hierarchy consisting of parent and child relationships. This hierarchical arrangement allows for a clear representation of relationships between different elements, where each element can contain sub-elements, forming a nested structure. This is particularly valuable in representing complex data structures, enabling the effective modeling of data in a way that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

In this tree structure, the top-level element is considered the root, from which all other elements branch out, resembling a tree's trunk and branches. Because of this hierarchy, XML facilitates easy navigation and manipulation of the data through various programming and scripting languages, making it a popular choice for data interchange among systems.

The other structures mentioned do not accurately represent how XML organizes data. A flat structure would imply a linear organization that does not capture the complexities of relationships, whereas a sequential structure suggests a straight line of data that lacks the parent-child organization of XML. A graph structure indicates interconnected relationships without a clear hierarchical organization, which is not how XML is designed. Thus, the tree structure with parent/child relationships is definitive for XML, allowing data to be organized effectively.