On 2005-06-01 15:21:36 -0400 "Bullard, Claude L (Len)" 
<len.bullard@i...> wrote:
>> There are better tools for handling XML, both at API level and
>> at user/data level?
> 
> No.  There are better syntaxes than XML for messaging.

Are there?

What are they?

For particular messaging infrastructures, particular, often 
proprietary or opaque data models have useful characteristics 
(compactness, domain-specific expressivity, compatibility with 
processing models).  Unfortunately, these data models often cannot be 
shared, for one reason or another (proprietary, tied to an 
architecture, or simply fragile).

[Some] messaging solution producers have been searching for a format 
that will satisfy customers' desire to ME DO! without giving the 
competition an edge, and without losing too much of the expressivity 
found in their jealously-guarded proprietary models.  XML fits the 
bill, in part because it *is* lower-performance.  "Well, we can 
provide this transparent, standards-based format, but you'll take a 
bit of a hit on it.  If you just drink the nice koolaid, we can 
increase your throughput by [impressive number]!"  Customers, on the 
other hand, sometimes nod solemnly, promise to think about it, then 
look for a third-party that can provide performance enhancements over 
the [transparent] XML message formats.

*shrug*  In this particular space, it appears that the customers are 
driving toward XML, or at least toward some structured, expressive 
message data format with high transparency and public guardianship.  
Perhaps they're overestimating the utility of XML, or underestimating 
its cost, but it does appear to be a customer-driven push, not 
trade-secret vendor koolaid with miraculous healing powers.

Amy!
(carefully not speaking for any employer, past or present, but citing 
nebulous "experience" nevertheless)
-- 
Amelia A. Lewis                    amyzing {at} talsever.com
And now someone's on the telephone, desperate in his pain;
someone's on the bathroom floor, doing her cocaine;
someone's got his finger on the button in some room--
no one can convince me we aren't gluttons for our doom.
                 -- Indigo Girls