Re: [xsl] Linus and XML

[Peter Hickman <peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob Foster wrote:
> Anyhow, the basic flaw in Torvalds' rant is that however easy it is to 
> design a syntax for a little language, it is easier not to design a 
> syntax; however easy it is to write a parser, it is easier not to write 
> a parser.
>
> Bob Foster

I think what Linus was all het up about was the inappropriate use of xml, for 
the example he gave xml (even if done correctly) is overkill. You want to read 
a small configuarion file? Load up a monster xml parser just to extract the 
eight bytes you require.

I am coming to regret that I used xml to store knowledgebases for my expert 
system, parsing the file adds a not inconsiderable startup cost to the program 
and amounts to half the code I have to maintain. The xml file itself is only 
30%-40% data and the rest is xml markup.

Trouble with a hammer is that everything looks like a nail - and I have been 
using xml too much.


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