The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, very flexible text format derived from SGML (ISO 8879). Originally designed to meet the challenges of large-scale electronic publishing, XML is also playing an increasingly important role in the exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web.(Extensible Markup Language Activity Statement, http://www.w3.org/XML/Activity, May 2004)
So how does it 'meet the challenges of ..... publishing'? By providing a simple way of defining information - infomation meant for the web. And what is this simple method based on? A tree structure! I repeat, nay rewrite, A tree structure! This is the crux of the matter! & the fact that all of us have missed!
A basic premise of XML is, that all information used in an electronic environment can be represented using a tree structure. This is a hidden premise that skulks around hiding and jumps you from behind and delivers a sharp thwack on the head!
I cannot take credit for this point of view, it was brought up by a person at an opensource conference. It is unfortunate that i do not know this chap because the significance of his statement is well.... very significant!
a) What is so special about a tree structure? Has anyone proved that any kind of information can be represented by it?
b) Are there any formal methods for transformation of information encapsulated in trees?
I don't think so.
Also, it is very interesting to note that although industry has bought this XML concept lock, stock, and two smoking barrels, academia has been rather slow on the uptake. Might this be because XML has no solid universal theoretical foundation?
If this is the case, what kind of damage will XML do to the science of information representation? By how many years will the discovery of a universal information representation scheme, be delayed?
The only redeeming quality of XML is that it is very 'tightly defined' and very 'clean'- Strong syntax & semantics. However, it gives us an illusion of simplicity. After all the very first and only scheme to bring some order to the electronic information mayhem, will undoubtedly 'seem' simple. Anything would!
And isn't it fishy that the .Net webservices rely heavily on XML?
What we need is a genuinely simple universal solution to information representation. It's out there somewhere! But before it is discovered,....
XML MUST DIE! 4:09 PM
said...