[Simple-support] Transform annotations, simple class names, JSON output, and more

[Paul J. <pa...@pa...>]

Hi,

I've just started using Simple and it looks like it's exactly what I need.
I have been using XStream extensively, and investigated JAX-B but Simple
seems to meet my needs better.

However, I have a few questions!

1) Can I strip the value element on an ElementMap?

If I have a field like this:
    @ElementMap(inline=true, attribute=true, entry="sink", key="type")
    Map<String,VarInfo> sinks = new HashMap<String,VarInfo>();

It produces XML like this:
   <sink type="xss">
      <varInfo>
         <varInfoItem>
            <source class="uk.co.pentest.srcscan.analyse.RouteEnd$Field"
field="test::field"/>
         </varInfoItem>
      </varInfo>
   </field>

I would like to remove the <varInfo> tag - so it's children go directly
inside the <sink> tag.

2) Can Simple generate short names in class attributes?

If we look at the source tag above, it includes the full class name for the
class. I would like it to be the simple class name: Field. Is this
possible? I don't need to read this XML; only generate it.

I am aware of ElementUnion however, this does not suit my needs. The
problem is that I have multiple polymorphic fields in the class (source and
destination) and there are a fair number of polymorphic types. To make this
work with ElementUnion I'd need many many lines of annotations, which would
kill the benefit of Simple.

3) Can I specify Transformers using an annotation?

I am using RegistryMatcher and my transformer is working correctly. But I
have to have a bit of the code where I specify all the transformers. Is it
possible to use an annotation instead?

What I have:
        matcher.bind(MethodDescriptor.class,
MethodDescriptor.XmlTransform.class);

What I'd like:
    @Transformer(XmlTransform.class)
    class MethodDescriptor {
        ...

4) Can Simple generate JSON output?

I can live with using a beta quality plugin. And I only need to generate
JSON, never read it. If there's no existing plugin for this, I will look at
writing one, and any pointers would be appreciated.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! All the best,

Paul