Re: What is the meaning of a txt file? Parallels betweenthe XM

Hi Folks,

Yesterday a colleague asked me for "data". When I asked what kind of data, she said, "txt files".

That got me to thinking, "What is a txt file?" Here are some thoughts.

The format of data in a txt file is unspecified. Contrast that to the format of a JPEG file which is well-known and specified by the JPEG specification. The format of an HTML file is well-known and specified by the HTML specification. Likewise for PPT, DOC, XML, JSON, CSV, and thousands of others. But a txt file has no inherent format; if you are given an arbitrary txt file, all you know is that it holds bytes that can be rendered as character symbols.

A JPEG file has, in a sense, a meaning: it is an image. A HTML file has a meaning: it is a web page. A PPT file has a meaning: it is a set of slides. But what is the meaning of a txt file? It has no preordained meaning. In a sense, a txt file is meaningless. A txt file is the most primitive of text files.

Note that just because a txt file is meaningless, does not imply it is useless. Txt files are useful in those cases where you have a grab bag of data that you want stored and possibly transported.

I see similarities between txt files and the XSD hexBinary type. Both are at the bottom (the most primitive) with respect to meaning. Neither can be interpreted without additional information.

I welcome your comments.

/Roger

_______________________________________________________________________

XML-DEV is a publicly archived, unmoderated list hosted by OASIS
to support XML implementation and development. To minimize
spam in the archives, you must subscribe before posting.

[Un]Subscribe/change address: http://www.oasis-open.org/mlmanage/
Or unsubscribe: xml-dev-unsubscribe@lists.xml.org
subscribe: xml-dev-subscribe@lists.xml.org
List archive: http://lists.xml.org/archives/xml-dev/
List Guidelines: http://www.oasis-open.org/maillists/guidelines.php