Re: XML: The good, the bad, and the ugly

From: Anne & Lynn Wheeler <lynn_at_garlic.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 07:50:57 -0600
Message-ID: <ufz4azuim.fsf_at_mail.comcast.net>


"Laconic2" <laconic2_at_comcast.net> writes:
> The universal file format is about data communication. It's a
> damned good idea. Literally! If you look back in Genesis 11,
> you'll see that the lack of of a universal language was what
> condemned the execution of what probably was a pretty good
> architectural plan.

(self-describing) universal file format is about making it useable by different programs (other than the one that created the file) ... it is analogous to the dbms concept ... which also includes the concept of making it useable *concurrently* by different programs.

data communication implies useable by different programs at different locations ... however not having data communication doesn't preclude having different programs at the same location.

(self-describing) universal file format is also helpful in time as well as space ... i.e. it would have been helpful in the y2k remediation efforts ... explicitly tagging years ... as opposed to plowing thru (30+ year old) source (that might not still exist) to try and guess what things might be (one or) two digit years.

-- 
Anne & Lynn Wheeler | http://www.garlic.com/~lynn/
Received on Tue Oct 19 2004 - 15:50:57 CEST

Original text of this message