[ODE] GUI Editor, to XML or not?

[Jani Laakso]

Frederic Marmond wrote:

> I do agree that XML is very open and so on...
> But:
> - to introduce a big overhead in file size
> - load/save time may be long (parser)

This is a possibility, hence XML->binary conversion is needed sometimes 
even in development but usually on a release package.

> So, It would be nice to have a XML<->binary converter.

I'd say "one way" XML->binary is sufficient. Do you see enough usage for 
binary->XML converter? I'd stick to XML when making development.

On a very large development user should divide one gigantic definition 
file to smaller ones. Perhaps the editor could help a bit on this divide 
and conquer task, but I leave this area for editor maker's to discuss.

I'd say the binary format is something that most release quality 
products need, I have a feeling that most developers comes up with 
somewhat different (!) solutions based on their needs on that particular 
application.

So, I'd recommend editor makers to concentrate into XML as the main 
"developer friendly" format and let application developers to worry 
about their own binary formats. Developing XML->custom format should be 
pretty straightforward.


Hope my comments are any good, Jani!

-- 
Jani Laakso / IT Mill Ltd | Tel. +358 40 5898086 | http://www.itmill.com