Blogger software question

[manda]

Okay... I know html, xhtml, dhtml, css, blah, blah, etc. etc.

I want to know what google's blogger uses. Is it their own specific software or is it something I can learn? I tried glancing around at what php, asp, cgi, perl, and what-have-you can do but none of them seem to be what I'm looking for. Now I didn't look hard at them, but what I did look at didn't click, so I moved on.

Specifically...

When I'm in the template system of blogger, there are tags surronded by $ symbols. They are used to call up stored database info to add to the main html page. How can I do that? What do I need to learn it? Where can I get it? Just tell me what it is!

Thanks to whoever can answer this tiring question for me.

[manda]

Alright, I was stupid. I know it is xml. I THINK that the $ symbols are there so that whatever software they use can recognize it and use it. I'd still like to know what software they use and if there is any freeware alternative. I'll continue to investigate but I didn't want anyone going to the trouble to answer my whole question up there needlessly.