XML is just a file format used to
store information. DevXML is a way of
sharing information about an
interface and
eventually a class definition amongst many languages and
platforms. Its
just data. I wrote one utility in vb to parse the
DevXML
and generate the interface in vb, but you can use the parsers that
already
exist on different platforms to parse the file and generate
the
source in whatever language you work with.
This comes in handy if you have
development teams working on the same
product but for different
platforms,
eg c++ or vb on nt and java on linux. You wish for the
interfaces to be the
same and eventually you would wish to share
the same
basic logic, the only difference is the parts that are specific to
c++ or
java.
This helps resolve problems of
inconsistant functionality between the
product on one platform vs the
other.
It also helps resolve the problem of
the c++ and java versions having
drastically different behavior. That
is a developer who is working on the
c++ side can more easily transfer his
knowledge of the interface and class
design to a java developer without
either developer having to understand
both languages.
It could potentially save you some
time when porting from one platform to
another as you can generate a shell on
the new platform
by parsing the DevXML files. Then you just need to
fill in the platform
specific stuff.
So far I have a little group that is
reviewing my research and providing
feedback if you or anyone in your group
would like to
take part please let me know. The more feedback the more
likely it is that
we will be successful.
If you have any feedback or wish to
be updated when this site is updated please email me at
thanks
chris
williams