RE: [xml-dev] The Goals of XML at 25, and the one thing that XML nowneed

[Roger L Costello <costello@mitre.org>]

Hi Rick,

 

• I took the time to write down a little post

 

Neat paper!

 

• It would allow in-place parsing. This is perhaps the big thing that prevents various kinds of optimized XML parsers

 

What is “in-place parsing”?

 

• For several decades I have dabbled with methods to speed up parsing UTF-8 and XML using SIMD and parallel parsing: my conclusion is that the approach I am suggesting here is the only feasible way for XML to not be sidelined as slow and complex.

 

SIMD = Single Instruction, Multiple Data?

 

This website [1] defines SIMD this way:

 

Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) units refer to hardware components that perform the same operation on multiple data operands concurrently. Typically, a SIMD unit receives as input two vectors (each one with a set of operands), performs the same operation on both sets of operands (one operand from each vector), and outputs a vector with the results.

 

Would you provide a description of how to process an XML document in parallel? The website says “perform the same operation on multiple operands concurrently” when would you want to do this with XML? Would you provide an example, please?

 

/Roger

 

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/single-instruction-multiple-data

 

From: Rick Jelliffe <rjelliffe@allette.com.au>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2021 4:38 AM
To: xml-dev <xml-dev@lists.xml.org>
Subject: [EXT] [xml-dev] The Goals of XML at 25, and the one thing that XML now needs

 

While in lock-down, I took the time to write down a little post for Schematron.com called "The Goals of XML at 25: and the one change that XML really now needs"  which people interested in the past and future of XML may find familiar but not irrelevant.

 

Key passage, or twist:

 

"For several decades I have dabbled with methods to speed up parsing UTF-8 and XML using SIMD and parallel parsing: my conclusion is that the approach I am suggesting here is the only feasible way for XML to not be sidelined as slow and complex. I think the lack of papers and experience demonstrating otherwise indicates it too.)"

 

Regards

Rick

 

(Here in Sydney we are in lockdown again, after an exiled year of almost no cases, Delta broke through, and we are trying to eliminate it. Taiwan successfully eliminated it this month, so maybe we will: elimination is a feasible strategy on islands, rather than just suppression. I get my 2nd vaccine tomorrow.)