[QGIS-Developer] Why is .qgz the default format?

[Hugo Mercier]

Hi,

On 21/01/2019 14:19, Régis Haubourg wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> The initial plan - discussed some years ago on the lists - was to have a
> container so that we can embed resources along the project file, and
> open the door to a lot of nice features for sharing qgis projects.
> The auxiliary data work was the opportunity to add this optional format
> and checks the associated issues.
> Then the idea was to switch to qgz by default and add features to save
> resources (svg, fonts, datasets, etc...) into the project file.
> 
> Unfortunately, the expected funding was discontinued and we are stuck
> now with this default QGZ format, only storing the qgs and the qgd
> files.  (I think one should not hire a QGIS funder and expect fundings
> keep coming afterwards :) )
> 
> The timing was bad also, because we only start since a few weeks to have
> user feedback on this, like this issue https://issues.qgis.org/issues/20828
> 
> We also have feeback that QGZ makes things more complicated for qgs
> maintenance tasks.
> 
> I really don't know what to do:
> 
> - switch back to classical qgs and let qgz get maturity. (But I'm afraid
> we'll have very few real feedback then, just like during 3.0-3.2 period)
> - give up qgz and bet on another option to offer a container (geopackage )
> - totally switch to qgz and offer a python lib for easing maintenance
> tasks ?

I would vote for your 3rd proposition: replace xml hacking by something
that looks like calls to an API.
And adding an option for those who want to switch back to .qgs +
separated aux files, keeping the default to .qgz.