The Markup Minimalist Credo

1.       Flatter is better. Add structure (markup) to XML only when absolutely necessary.

2.       Data exchange formats: make them flat.

3.       When sending data to consumers, distribute the data in a flat format.

4.       When consumers receive the flat XML they may add structure (markup) to facilitate simpler and more efficient Schematron assertions and/or simpler and more efficient application processing. Different consumers will add different structure (markup), depending on their (local) requirements.

Comments?

/Roger