FW: [boost] Serialization & XML (was Serialization Library Review)

From: Robert Ramey (ramey_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-11-18 22:01:40

Is there a reason you sent this to me privately?
> From: David Abrahams <dave_at_[hidden]>

>I believe your assessment that some
>data structures can't be represented using XML is incorrect, and
>that's easy to prove. A serialization library which makes generation
>of XML output difficult is severely handicapped in the modern world.

Well, I have conceded that it was preliminary.  All I know about XML
is from a small book containing a concise description of XML.

My skeptism is based on the following thought experiment:
Suppose on is given a list of polymorphic pointers, some of which
correspond to bottom node of a diamond in heritance structure
and some of which are repeated in the list and serialized
some where else as well.

a) How would such a thing be represented in XML?
b) Could be loaded back to create an equivalent structure?
c) Would it be useful for anything other than this serialization system?

If someone can assure me that the answers to all three of the above
is yes then it should be possible - otherwise not.  Given that its
"easy to prove" these questions should be easy to answer in
a convincing way.

 Robert Ramey