Re: [Koha-devel] xml

[MJ Ray]

On 2003-10-03 15:56:15 +0100 Benedykt <address@hidden> wrote:
> I just wanted to ask whether any discussion was held on using xml for 
> developing koha? www.w3.org says it is good to separate the data from 
> the way 
> it looks (data from html). Do you think that future direction of koha 
> development could benefit from it (like language translations)?

To me, there are three sides to this.

First, using some xml protocols in koha: a good idea in general, but 
comes with some nasty research, design and robustness problems if we 
want to accept XML data.  I think XML output is sure to start 
appearing in 2.2 (RSS is already out there somewhere) and not spread 
to any core use until 2.4 or later, if at all.  We may be forced this 
way if users need the "Z39.50 in xml" stuff or the OAI protocol.

Second, using xhtml output and CSS layout: makes display much cleaner 
and easier, IMO, and more accessible if done carefully.  A really good 
idea and, personally, I hope that most of the code work can appear in 
2.2, but it depends on many other people too.

Finally, using xml display technologies: xml, xslt, etc.  A nightmare 
IMO.  Don't even go there with koha.  I've been there before and am 
not keen to go back.  Full XSLT is apparently turing-complete and it 
seems really dangerous not being able to tell a template from an 
infinite loop.  If people really want to do this, let them use XML 
output from koha and reformat it.

--
MJR/slef     My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know.
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