Representing the components of a string in XML -- should delimitersbe re

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

Hi Folks,

 

I am creating an XML representation of the UNIX printf conversion specifier. Here is a sample conversion specifier and its components:

 

 

% and . are delimiters. Should they be represented in XML?

 

Which of the following XML representations is better?  If you assert that one is better than another, please explain – in simple, concrete terms – why it is better?

 

(a) Does not represent the delimiters in XML:

 

<conversion_specification>

    <flag>+</flag>

    <width>7</width>

    <precision>3</precision>

    <specifier>d</specifier>

</conversion_specification>

 

(b) Does represent the delimiters in XML:

 

<conversion_specification>

    <start_of_specifier>%</start_of_specifier>

    <flag>+</flag>

    <width>7</width>

    <start_of_precision>.</start_of_precision>

    <precision>3</precision>

    <specifier>d</specifier>

</conversion_specification>

 

/Roger