Re: [xmlenc-devel] VOID_WITHIN_ELEMENT and short-circuiting

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> I disagree. I think the <tag attr="value"/> pattern is a real plus. It
> shortens the length of the XML file considerably, especially if you use
> this form a lot (I do) and if the "tag"s you use it with are long (many
> of mine are). Keep in mind that most people will use XMLOutputter to
> write to disk, and the time involved in disk writes will far outweigh
> the time spent doing some logic to see what type of closing tag is
> necessary. You'll have a more efficient outputter if you output shorter
> XML, and I know efficiency is a primary design goal here.

The following code:

   startTag("html");
   attribute("lang", "en");
   pcdata("");
   endTag();

will produce:

   <html lang="en"></html>

while this code:

   startTag("html");
   attribute("lang", "en");
   endTag();

still produces:

   <html lang="en"/>

So the short form is still supported, but it won't be used when zero-length 
text is outputted using pcdata("") or whitespace("").

> Anyway, I think that at the level of XMLOutputter you should just output
> whatever is sent. Omitting comments or elements if empty should probably
> be handled at a higher level (the classes Henri is working on).

Agreed.

Ernst

-- 
Ernst de Haan
Development Team Leader
Wanadoo Nederland B.V.

    The Lord has truly risen!
    Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!