We’re launching Lyria 3.5 in Google Flow Music, with advances across musicality, lyrics, vocals, and creative control
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jul 5·5 min read
Do you hate XML? (2010)
TL;DR
Developers have expressed significant frustration with XML, a markup language used for data representation. Despite initial enthusiasm, XML's complexity and verbosity have led to a backlash against its use.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should be aware of XML's strengths and weaknesses to make informed decisions about data representation.
Key Takeaways
- Evaluate XML's suitability for your project needs.
- Consider alternatives if XML's complexity is a concern.
- Stay updated on community sentiment regarding data formats.
- Leverage XML's strengths in interoperability and metadata.
Full Summary
For over fifteen years, the author has focused on interoperability and data longevity, particularly in library contexts, using XML as a primary tool. Initially, XML was highly promoted for its capabilities in data modeling, leading to a surge in its adoption around the early 2000s.
However, by 2004-2005, a noticeable shift occurred, with many developers voicing their frustrations online, as evidenced by a significant increase in the phrase 'hate XML' in web searches. This backlash is attributed to XML's complexity and verbosity, which many found cumbersome.
The data collected shows a leveling off of this sentiment after the initial spike, suggesting a stabilization in opinions about XML. Despite the criticisms, the author maintains that XML remains a valuable tool for data modeling.
Understanding these trends can help engineers navigate the ongoing debates about data representation formats.