Dimensional Markup language (DML) is an XML

XML

Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....

 format definition tailored to the needs of dimensional results for Discrete manufacturing

Discrete manufacturing

Discrete manufacturing varies from Process Manufacturing. In discrete manufacturing, the manufacturing floor works off orders to build something. Examples include toys, medical equipment, computers and cars. The resulting products are easily identifiable...

. The purpose is to haul the results between applications that generate or use dimensional information.

A typical scenario is where an inspection device collects dimensional data and sends the information to an SPC

Statistical process control

Statistical process control is the application of statistical methods to the monitoring and control of a process to ensure that it operates at its full potential to produce conforming product. Under SPC, a process behaves predictably to produce as much conforming product as possible with the least...

package for process analysis or a database for long term storage.

If properly used, DML can be extremely useful by enabling once disparate systems to work together easily.
This document describes the basic fundamentals of a well formatted DML data set.