On 12/26/2010 3:15 PM, Tim Harig wrote: ...
The problem is that XML has become such a defacto standard that it used automatically, without thought, even when there are much better alternatives available.
I agree with you but, as you say, it has become a defacto standard. As a result, we often need to use it unless there is some strong reason to use something else.
The same thing can be said about relational databases. There are applications for which a hierarchical database makes more sense, is more efficient, and is easier to understand. But anyone who recommends a database that is not relational had better be prepared to defend his choice with some powerful reasoning because his management, his customers, and the other programmers on his team are probably going to need a LOT of convincing.
And of course there are many applications where XML really is the best. It excels at representing complex textual documents while still allowing programmatic access to individual items of information.
Alan -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list