Originally posted by George Thomas:
So I try to explain [to my boss] and he says "I understand that this could be our universal format but we'd have to convince everyone else here to use that format."
My question is (I think): What makes XML different from any other proprietary format (even comma delimited text) if you need a program that KNOWS that format on either end of the transaction?
First, like comma delimited files, and unlike SGML, it is simple enough to become a lingua franca between applications. Its very ubiquitousness then becomes its strength (the networking effect).
Second, like SGML and unlike comma delimited files, it is expressive enough for the complex data structures modern applications need to exchange.
So you could say it hits just that sweet spot between simplicity and complexity.
Third...
So I need a Java program to write it and a Java program to read it? (or some other language).
there's XSLT, which allows you to glue two different XML interfaces to each other without programming. Although, arguably, learning XSLT in its full glory takes at least as much brainpower as becoming a Java expert.
- Peter