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  3. Do people still use XML?

Do people still use XML?

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  • H honey the codewitch

    I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

    When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

    Mike HankeyM Offline
    Mike HankeyM Offline
    Mike Hankey
    wrote on last edited by
    #22

    Right tool for the right job, doesn't matter if others use it or not!

    I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally! JaxCoder.com

    H 1 Reply Last reply
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    • H honey the codewitch

      I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

      When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

      realJSOPR Offline
      realJSOPR Offline
      realJSOP
      wrote on last edited by
      #23

      If you need to guarantee that your objects stay in order, use XML. JSON is subject to the engine that's parsing it, where XML is - well - XML. The only thing I think most real programmers hate is any form of visual basic.

      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
      -----
      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
      -----
      When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

      G 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • H honey the codewitch

        I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

        When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

        K Offline
        K Offline
        kmoorevs
        wrote on last edited by
        #24

        I use XML for lots of things but mostly where I need a desktop app to communicate with a web resource either to receive/send bulk data (usually via sql to xml) or little things like FTP credentials (encrypted of course) or program/file updates. I've always found XML to be extremely easy to use. :)

        "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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        • L Lost User

          Consider yourself to be SQL Server; do you allow export in XML, or would you prefer not to because a few people "hate it"? Programming isn't politics, technologies don't have to be popular.

          Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

          H Offline
          H Offline
          honey the codewitch
          wrote on last edited by
          #25

          in sql server the XML might actually be useful. from a parse tree, less so

          When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

          L 1 Reply Last reply
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          • Mike HankeyM Mike Hankey

            Right tool for the right job, doesn't matter if others use it or not!

            I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally! JaxCoder.com

            H Offline
            H Offline
            honey the codewitch
            wrote on last edited by
            #26

            i personally don't need the feature. i'm designing an API. the feature is for others, so the question is, do you use XML to do the job these days?

            When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

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            • H honey the codewitch

              I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

              When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

              K Offline
              K Offline
              Kevin McFarlane
              wrote on last edited by
              #27

              It's probably one of those cases where, unless you need to use XML, use JSON. From your problem statement it seems that you need to use XML, so use it. Tough if everyone hates it.

              Kevin

              H 1 Reply Last reply
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              • K Kevin McFarlane

                It's probably one of those cases where, unless you need to use XML, use JSON. From your problem statement it seems that you need to use XML, so use it. Tough if everyone hates it.

                Kevin

                H Offline
                H Offline
                honey the codewitch
                wrote on last edited by
                #28

                Unfortunately, i can't readily use JSON because node order is significant, and JSON allows for reording of child nodes.

                When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

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                • H honey the codewitch

                  in sql server the XML might actually be useful. from a parse tree, less so

                  When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #29

                  codewitch honey crisis wrote:

                  in sql server the XML might actually be useful. from a parse tree, less so

                  That I don't know, but it doesn't change the point that you asked whether XML is still appropriate. I think it may be moreso than a CSV file ;)

                  Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

                  H 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • L Lost User

                    codewitch honey crisis wrote:

                    in sql server the XML might actually be useful. from a parse tree, less so

                    That I don't know, but it doesn't change the point that you asked whether XML is still appropriate. I think it may be moreso than a CSV file ;)

                    Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

                    H Offline
                    H Offline
                    honey the codewitch
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #30

                    One time I built a mapper that allowed you to represent hierarchical data in tabular format, using the same technique used by MS SQLXML, including the column naming style and such. It was primarily used for accessing RDBMS systems using XML and XPath but you could use it on anything that can be tabular including CSV files and even HTML forms

                    When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                    L 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • H honey the codewitch

                      I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

                      When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                      D Offline
                      D Offline
                      Dean Roddey
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #31

                      XML is widely used. And, it's often a lot more convenient than JSON, since you can create a DTD that lets the parser do a lot of the grunt work for you. I use it all over the place. I only use JSON if it's already part of the protocol of a device I'm talking to or it's stuff related to talking to Javascript in a browser.

                      Explorans limites defectum

                      H 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • H honey the codewitch

                        One time I built a mapper that allowed you to represent hierarchical data in tabular format, using the same technique used by MS SQLXML, including the column naming style and such. It was primarily used for accessing RDBMS systems using XML and XPath but you could use it on anything that can be tabular including CSV files and even HTML forms

                        When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Lost User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #32

                        You'd think that after 27 years we would have agreed on a standard way to access the database. From SQL92 and ODBC to ADO and DAO to .NET providers and connections, we have this long list on standard ways, and you introduce yet another way that is built on existing standards. :laugh:

                        Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

                        H 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • L Lost User

                          You'd think that after 27 years we would have agreed on a standard way to access the database. From SQL92 and ODBC to ADO and DAO to .NET providers and connections, we have this long list on standard ways, and you introduce yet another way that is built on existing standards. :laugh:

                          Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

                          H Offline
                          H Offline
                          honey the codewitch
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #33

                          That's why standards are great - we have so many to choose from! :^)

                          When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • D Dean Roddey

                            XML is widely used. And, it's often a lot more convenient than JSON, since you can create a DTD that lets the parser do a lot of the grunt work for you. I use it all over the place. I only use JSON if it's already part of the protocol of a device I'm talking to or it's stuff related to talking to Javascript in a browser.

                            Explorans limites defectum

                            H Offline
                            H Offline
                            honey the codewitch
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #34

                            I mostly use JSON these days for data interchange, but I hear you about typing. That being said, there's a spec for JSON schemas, and many engines already support validation using them. I don't use them myself. In the real world, most JSON is machine generated, which means it doesn't necessarily need heavy validation unless its coming from somewhere external (to avoid possible exploits)

                            When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                            D 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • H honey the codewitch

                              I mostly use JSON these days for data interchange, but I hear you about typing. That being said, there's a spec for JSON schemas, and many engines already support validation using them. I don't use them myself. In the real world, most JSON is machine generated, which means it doesn't necessarily need heavy validation unless its coming from somewhere external (to avoid possible exploits)

                              When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Dean Roddey
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #35

                              For me lots of it is user configuration, or data from external devices or servers, none of which can be assumed to be even reasonably correct. And, ultimately, it all really probably should get good validation. If your program croaks because of an error in another program, that's not a good thing.

                              Explorans limites defectum

                              H 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D Dean Roddey

                                For me lots of it is user configuration, or data from external devices or servers, none of which can be assumed to be even reasonably correct. And, ultimately, it all really probably should get good validation. If your program croaks because of an error in another program, that's not a good thing.

                                Explorans limites defectum

                                H Offline
                                H Offline
                                honey the codewitch
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #36

                                that's what error handling is for. Validation just lets you throw sooner. A lot of times that's not even necessary.

                                When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • H honey the codewitch

                                  I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

                                  When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mycroft Holmes
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #37

                                  I would not use XML if there was serious volume involved, I've seen systems fail using xlm when attempting to transfer gb between systems. As others have said use the correct tool for the job no matter whet the "popularity" you perceive is.

                                  Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                                  realJSOPR H 2 Replies Last reply
                                  0
                                  • H honey the codewitch

                                    I can't use JSON for rendering a parse tree because JSON does not preserve the order of subelements and because of the way multiple values are presented it gives json problems. XML can do it, because XML preserves element order and an element can be present more than once within its parent container. But I don't want to bother if everyone hates XML. What would you do?

                                    When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

                                    G Offline
                                    G Offline
                                    Gary R Wheeler
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #38

                                    For what it's worth, XML has been my preferred persistence format for a long time. It makes it relatively easy to manage arbitrary structure and schema changes, UNICODE, and so on. It also translates well to other programming environments and languages, given that support is fairly ubiquitous. It's no longer "flavor of the month", but it has the advantage of... it works.

                                    Software Zen: delete this;

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                                    • realJSOPR realJSOP

                                      If you need to guarantee that your objects stay in order, use XML. JSON is subject to the engine that's parsing it, where XML is - well - XML. The only thing I think most real programmers hate is any form of visual basic.

                                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                      -----
                                      When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                                      G Offline
                                      G Offline
                                      Gary R Wheeler
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #39

                                      #realJSOP wrote:

                                      The only thing I think most real programmers hate is any form of visual basic.

                                      That sounds like a challenge :laugh:. Let's see.

                                      • Windows installer and writing install packages for it
                                      • Writing Windows device drivers
                                      • Writing Windows device driver installers
                                      • Creating Windows install images when a new revision of the OS comes out
                                      • The MSDN web site, which Microsoft redesigns to obscure the fact they're removing content so they don't have to support it

                                      and that's just the crap I can think of associated with Microsoft and Windows. If I got started on software management in a hardware-centric company, two things would happen. One, I'd probably exceed Chris' message length limit, and two my ass would be terminated with extreme prejudice.

                                      Software Zen: delete this;

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • M Mycroft Holmes

                                        I would not use XML if there was serious volume involved, I've seen systems fail using xlm when attempting to transfer gb between systems. As others have said use the correct tool for the job no matter whet the "popularity" you perceive is.

                                        Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                                        realJSOPR Offline
                                        realJSOPR Offline
                                        realJSOP
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #40

                                        There’s a way around the big-ass file problem, but it comes with restrictions. A few months ago, I wrote some code to load files that were as large as 8gb. It could probably go larger, but that’s the largest file I had.

                                        ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                                        -----
                                        You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                                        -----
                                        When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                                        H M 2 Replies Last reply
                                        0
                                        • M Mycroft Holmes

                                          I would not use XML if there was serious volume involved, I've seen systems fail using xlm when attempting to transfer gb between systems. As others have said use the correct tool for the job no matter whet the "popularity" you perceive is.

                                          Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP

                                          H Offline
                                          H Offline
                                          honey the codewitch
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #41

                                          The "job" is undefined. I'm making an API. Anyway, I'm not sure I'm going through with this bit. Besides I have other stuff to work on that has taken precedence.

                                          When I was growin' up, I was the smartest kid I knew. Maybe that was just because I didn't know that many kids. All I know is now I feel the opposite.

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