XML.orgXML.org
FOCUS AREAS |XML-DEV |XML.org DAILY NEWSLINK |REGISTRY |RESOURCES |ABOUT
OASIS Mailing List ArchivesView the OASIS mailing list archive below
or browse/search using MarkMail.

 


Help: OASIS Mailing Lists Help | MarkMail Help

[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index]
What is the meaning of a txt file? Parallels between the XML SchemahexBinary type and txt files ...

Hi Folks,

Yesterday a colleague asked me for "data". When I asked what kind of data, she said, "txt files".

That got me to thinking, "What is a txt file?" Here are some thoughts.

The format of data in a txt file is unspecified. Contrast that to the format of a JPEG file which is well-known and specified by the JPEG specification. The format of an HTML file is well-known and specified by the HTML specification. Likewise for PPT, DOC, XML, JSON, CSV, and thousands of others. But a txt file has no inherent format; if you are given an arbitrary txt file, all you know is that it holds bytes that can be rendered as character symbols. 

A JPEG file has, in a sense, a meaning: it is an image. A HTML file has a meaning: it is a web page. A PPT file has a meaning: it is a set of slides. But what is the meaning of a txt file? It has no preordained meaning. In a sense, a txt file is meaningless. A txt file is the most primitive of text files. 

Note that just because a txt file is meaningless, does not imply it is useless. Txt files are useful in those cases where you have a grab bag of data that you want stored and possibly transported.

I see similarities between txt files and the XSD hexBinary type. Both are at the bottom (the most primitive) with respect to meaning. Neither can be interpreted without additional information.

I welcome your comments.

/Roger


[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index]


News | XML in Industry | Calendar | XML Registry
Marketplace | Resources | MyXML.org | Sponsors | Privacy Statement

Copyright 1993-2007 XML.org. This site is hosted by OASIS