> but there's no reason you can't describe data in XML in a way that is concise, reasonably, simple, and easy to read (both for people and computers)
Yes, there is. Each item in XML requires 5 + len(tag) extra characters, minimally: <name>asdf</name>. Unless you make everything a property (e.g. <x name="asdf"/>), in which case you only need 5 extra characters (<x />) per parent item. JSON is minimal: you need no extra characters (or, arguably, 2 extra characters for strings with no spaces)
That's for people. It's even worse for machines, because they have to be able to parse <name>asdf</name> and <person name="asdf"/> and <person name="asdf">...</person> and then be able to verify it using a schema external to the XML in question.
What I don't understand is why people ever thought XML was a good idea. I took one look at in back in '98 when it came out (or whenever it was) and said "this isn't human readable (unless maybe you like writing your HTML by hand)" and proceeded to successfully ignore it unless I have to use it.
Yes, there is. Each item in XML requires 5 + len(tag) extra characters, minimally: <name>asdf</name>. Unless you make everything a property (e.g. <x name="asdf"/>), in which case you only need 5 extra characters (<x />) per parent item. JSON is minimal: you need no extra characters (or, arguably, 2 extra characters for strings with no spaces)
That's for people. It's even worse for machines, because they have to be able to parse <name>asdf</name> and <person name="asdf"/> and <person name="asdf">...</person> and then be able to verify it using a schema external to the XML in question.
What I don't understand is why people ever thought XML was a good idea. I took one look at in back in '98 when it came out (or whenever it was) and said "this isn't human readable (unless maybe you like writing your HTML by hand)" and proceeded to successfully ignore it unless I have to use it.