[mapserver-users] libxml vs Xerce c++

[woodbri at swoodbridge.com]

Ricky,

I think that what you propose should be optional at the build level 
and NOT a total replacement for the existing mapfile. This allows the 
most flexibility for the various user requirements. Some of us might 
not want to deal with xml, or have to manage the additional 
requirements. On the other hand some people may want to. 

We have lots of optional code (at the build level) in mapserver today 
and making xml mapfile optional should fit into that same 
arrangement. 

After all, file format should not dictate what the internal 
structures look like and vica versa. 

I think one key consideration to any library choice has to be whether 
or not it is thread-safe. Other than that, the decision should be 
based on comparing the requirements to the various libraries, and 
picking the simplest solution that meets our requirements. If we have 
not defined the requirements adequately then we are liable to pick a 
more complex or feature rich solution to provide us with more options 
in the future at the cost of more complexity, overhead, and maintence 
costs on a daily basis.

Just my $.02,
   -Steve Woodbridge

On 30 Jul 2002 at 22:25, Ricky Jo wrote:

> Hi all,
> A few days ago, I posted a dtd proposal for the next
> generation xml mapfiles.
> There was less reply I expected about it.
> But before going on, I think it would be a good thing
> if people could decide on the way to go for xml.
> That is, should mapserver use libxml, with a dtd, or
> should it use xml schemas, which are more powerful,
> but which require a more complex library, such as
> xerces c++.
> This is an important question, because when the old
> format will be dropped, everybody who want mapserver
> will have to get the apporpiate xml library.
> 
> This mail is perhaps adressed more specifically to the
> main developers (i.e. main deciders ? ;)
> 
> Regards
> 
> Ricky
> 
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