I searched google for fixed format file (FFF) and got these to results: 

* [pcsupport.about.com/od/fileextensions/f/fixed-file.htm](http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fileextensions/f/fixed-file.htm)
* [www.softinterface.com/Convert-XLS%5CFeatures%5CFixed-Width-Text-File-Definition.htm](http://www.softinterface.com/Convert-XLS%5CFeatures%5CFixed-Width-Text-File-Definition.htm)

I am not sure which one is a fixed format file. Is the second one FFF or its something else ?

What problems did FFF solve and how does XML solve them better than FFF ?
Are there any disadvantages of XML format when compared to FFF ?

Thanks in advance.