[Savannah-hackers] submission of xmlface -

[valli]

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V.K.Vallinayagam <address@hidden> described the package as follows:
License: gpl
Other License: 
Package: xmlface
System name: xmlface
Type: GNU

Description:
The project objective is to provide alternate interface to deal with 
GNU/linux programs in command-line. Basically it enables user to 
give input in SXML-format(which is XML represented in the 
form of s-expressions, (s-expressions are format of lisp or scheme 
expressions)). If possible the output of the program is also converted 
to sxml format.

Basically it will be a collectinos of small wrapper scripts that does
the conversion form SXML format to the native format required by the program.




Other Software Required:
Ruby language
REXML library of ruby.

Other Comments:
Benefits:
1.XML is more human-readable/rememberable  than the cryptic single character 
option strings of typical unix commands.
2.Though long form of options are presents, there is no hierarchical ways to 
structure the list of options, XML's hierarchical structuring gives benefit for 
programs that can receive large number of options.
3. People find command-line human unfriendly and switch to GUI or curses based 
interactive interfaces. This in otherhand is against unix philosophy where 
programs should be able to interface with other
programs. This balances both the need, XML is a more human-friendly information 
format at the same time enable program-program interaction.
4.A coherent meta-language. Programs that need to get complex inputs,
invent their own mini language with cryptic syntax. eg, pstops etc..
XML can be the  meta-language for such need, so user can deal with a consistent 
format of information representation.
5.This is an alternate interface for infrequent users, to interface with a 
program, where speed of input is not a criteria but human-friendliness is a 
criteria.


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