xml-dev - RE: ubiquitous XML?

["Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@ingr.com>]

I just did a round with our developers. I told 
them that for their own sake, they might want 
to put away the C++ editors and other ad hoc 
test tools while they are learning how to 
apply XML and pick up PFE and the add in to 
the browser that kicks off the validator.

They are both free.  They are basic.  They 
kickstart the basic understanding.
  
There are lots of different situations.
Where people are on the learning curve 
affects the tools they should be using. 
Hiding behind complex tools has in my 
experience since the early days of SGML 
been the worst approach to understanding 
it.  In large scale production, different 
rules prevail.

Until one understands basics, the cut 
and paste, get the object and methods 
mentality of visual programming is often a 
hindrance to understanding.  The urge to code 
to get something done is deadly.

Beyond that, they have to be prompted to 
update the rapidly changing components.  Out 
of the last four times I went to help someone 
figure out why they could not make an example 
work, four times I found old dlls.  RTFM.

The next problem is trendiness.  I 
am seeing too many RFPs that request 
web browser interfaces in applications 
where they make absolutely no sense. 
We have to be able to separate the 
application of markup from the environment 
of the tools.  Lifecycle support from 
markup is good in any situation.  A 
web browser is not always the best way 
to apply it.

Len Bullard
Intergraph Public Safety
clbullar@ingr.com
http://www.mp3.com/LenBullard

Ekam sat.h, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti.
Daamyata. Datta. Dayadhvam.h