Floating point precision of "Flatten to XML"

[falkpl]

DFgray,

I see your point about XMLs difficulties.  I have struggled to incorporate XML and have been slowly replacing .ini files with XML formatted data.  I do agree that for data XML has its limitations.  XML is not the cure-all that it was hyped to be but it does serve its purpose as an open extensible format for data interchange.  This is why I think a flatten control/object by reference could be so powerful, because it will focus on storing a controls properties, as a structured object-oriented XML representation, the value is just one field of the controls code.  The Flatten would be polymorphic and cover the entire gObject hierarchy.  Now we could store the state of all objects on the front panel in a platform independent extensible and uniform way.  Loading back these files could dynamically re-work a GUI and save enormous amount of GUI coding (in my opinion LABVIEWS weakest feature).  Imagine storing the state of the GUI altering it on the fly and then re-drawing it as needed.  Different users could view the application without reprogramming, just loading a different preference file or even just a different style.  I am not an XML expert and still learning but the ability to switch between controls and an open representation of them might be a good option to have.  If you want to internationalize an application you could change all captions, description, and tool tips in the XML file and rename it and just reload file back to the controls.  Just something to think about, I could be totally wrong about this though.

Paul

[DFGray]

I quite agree with your points (and have dealt with all of them at some level), but disagree with using XML.  I much prefer HDF5, and use it for all such activity.  But, until LabVIEW has a "dump to HDF5" utility, I will need to keep doing it the hard way.  Note that such a utility would be just as easy to write as a "dump to XML".  Being binary, it would be much faster.  HDF5 is also a cross-platform, self-describing, open, free set of file utilities (US taxpayers dollars at work) which can be freely used commercially.  It is a software gem that most people don't even know exists.  Enough raving for now.  A google on ni.com search will get you all the HDF5 info you need, if you are interested.

[falkpl]

Thanks I will look into HDF5 and add it to the to learn pile.   Using many alternatives always improves a projects chance of success.  I have been working with XML is a choice lately because of the widespread use, sometimes compatibility is the top requirement even when there are better products available.

Paul