Regularity: a fundamental property of declarative

What are the properties of “declarative”?

Here’s one.

Assertion #1: A key feature of declarative data is the ability of readers (both human readers and machine readers) to recognize, at a glance, the shape/topology of the data.

Assertion #2: Regularity gives data a visible/parse-able shape and therefore regularity is a fundamental property of declarative.

Assertion #3: Declarative is superior. Always choose declarative.

Conclusion: Choose regular data over irregular data.

Below is an example of regular XML-encoded data followed by an example of irregular XML-encoded data. The first is declarative and superior. Choose the former over the latter.

Do you agree with my assertions, conclusion, and examples?

/Roger

Regular Data (declarative, preferred)

<People>
    <Person>
        <Name>John</Name>
        <Residence>Massachusetts</Residence>
    </Person>
    <Person>
        <Name>Sara</Name>
        <Residence>Illinois</Residence>
    </Person>
    <Person>
        <Name>Bill</Name>
        <Residence>California</Residence>
    </Person>
    <Person>
        <Name>Lisa</Name>
        <Residence>New Mexico</Residence>
    </Person>
</People>

Irregular Data (inferior, avoid)

<People>
    <Massachusetts>
        <Person>
            <Name>John</Name>
        </Person>
    </Massachusetts>
    <Person>
        <Name>Sara</Name>
        <Residence>Illinois</Residence>
    </Person>
   <Resident-of-California>
        <Person>
            <Name>Bill</Name>
        </Person>
    </ Resident-of-California>
    <New-Mexico>
        <Person>
            <Name>Lisa</Name>
        </Person>
    </New-Mexico>
</People>