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Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?

• To: xml-dev@l...
• Subject: Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?
• From: Gavin Thomas Nicol <gtn@r...>
• Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 21:42:49 -0500
• In-reply-to: <p04330102b86b419d485f@[192.168.254.4]>
• Organization: Red Bridge Interactive, Inc.
• References: <83ZYEAYV95C0XUSGAOINSOION832W.3c42e858@MChamp> <E16QYPR-0000gZ-00@s...> <p04330102b86b419d485f@[192.168.254.4]>

On Wednesday 16 January 2002 09:48 am, Elliotte Rusty Harold wrote:
> I think you're ignoring XML practice in order to win an increasingly
> obscure and irrelevant point. It's not hard to prove that you can
> transform any XML document into CSV or vice versa. In other words, a
> 1-1 onto mapping exists. Unfortunately, the way people use these
> formats is important. Mathematical equivalence is not the same as
> practical equivalence.

The point is important if you go making claims that "XML is 
self-describing" or "XML is better than X" or "XML will do this". 

The IT manager reads those phrases and thinks "jeez, this *is* a 
silver bullet", buys it, and then end up with it between the eyes.

I agree that the way people use XML has benefits, but I honestly think 
it's an accident of history that XML became the golden child as it 
has, and not something else, like S-expressions. A lot of that has to 
do with hype, and a lot of confusion and disappoinment also has to do 
with hype.

My whole point is that XML is *nothing*. It's *just* syntax... and has 
no intrinsic meaning in and of itself. That said, well-developed 
applications of XML *are* better than almost anything 
else....especially in terms of flexibility/evolution. I've been 
preaching that cautiously optimistic message for a long time...

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?
    • From: Ronald Bourret <rpbourret@r...>

• References:
  • Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?
    • From: Mike Champion <mc@x...>
  • Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?
    • From: Gavin Thomas Nicol <gtn@r...>
  • Re: SV: SV: XML=WAP? And DOA?
    • From: Elliotte Rusty Harold <elharo@m...>

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