Wed 2003-01-08 16:34, Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555) wrote to andrew clarke:

 ac>> Windows, or Linux computer. When data is written in XML, it
 ac>> can be transferred between applications, regardless of the
 ac>> factors that would typically mandate transforming the data
 ac>> into a useable format."

 > And how does that make it different from comma delimited ascii?

That alone doesn't make it any different from CSV.  There are other
advantages to XML over CVS.  Some things come to mind:

1. You can describe the purpose of each field, eg:

,267,Blizzard_of_Ozz,Mt_Eliza_Vic

does not describe what each field is for.  But this does:

 267 
 Blizzard of Ozz> 
 Mt Eliza Vic 

It is more verbose, but that's the price you have to pay.

2. It provides a form of data hierachy, eg.


  
    
      FTS-0001.016
      1995-09-30
      A Basic FidoNet(r) Technical Standard
      Randy Bush
    
    
      FTS-0004.001
      1987-12-12
      The Conference Mail System (EchoMail Specification)
      Bob Hartman
    
...
  

  
    
      FSC-0003.001
      198?-??-??
      FidoNet Route Files Explained
      Ben Baker
    
    
      FSC-0004.001
      1987-02-09
      INTL kludge
      Randy Bush
    
...
  


3. It's usually easier to edit in a text editor.

4. It's easier to post to an echo.  ;-)

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