[WEB400] Re: XML and RPG-CGI, is XML needed. was -> HolyWar . . ..

[Hans Boldt <boldt@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Brad Stone wrote:
> On Thu, 4 Sep 2003 13:54:53 -0500 
>  "Bartell, Aaron L. (TC)" <ALBartell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > In my experiences, passing values to a CGI program (RPG
> > in this case) with a
> > key value pair (Name=Aaron&State=MN for example) proved
> > to be less than
> > adequate when you want to get a whole heap full of info
> > into the RPG-CGI
> > program, and then what do you respond with, more key
> > value pairs, XML?
>
>
> So, instead of using value pairs (using POST I would hope,
> not GET) you choose to wrap each piece of data with tags,
> creating at least 50% more data being transferred for the
> same application?  
> ... 

Wow, so you're sending 1000 bytes less data. Do you really think 
there's a measurable performance difference there? Given that there 
are good class libraries that can deal with XML and with query 
strings, from a programming productivity point of view there's not 
that much difference between the two either.

The main difference is that XML is a standard data interchange 
format that's not limited to HTTP POST and GET requests. That alone 
gives it the edge.

Cheers! Hans