Re: Compiled XML files

Jonathan writes:

> I've tweaked my local copy of ARK to change the XML compilation bit to 
> use binary pickle jars as these load much faster than ASCII ones. I also 
> tweaked it to set the .xmla file to the same mod-time as the .xml file 
> and then ignore it if the times differ. This works better with restoring 
> an earlier version of a .xml file.
> 
> I've not committed my changes since it's deep in your territory and I'm 
> not sure if it matches what you intended (i.e., is .xml*a* meant to mean 
> ASCII?). Make the call though and I'll zap it in.

Zap away; I don't feel proprietary about this stuff; it was
a quick afternoon hack (which I've been very happy with
:-).  'a' is for Arusha, I guess. :-)

> Any suggestions on a mechanism to ditch the res['destname'] hack welcome. 
> Perhaps some new syntax? e.g.,
> 
>      <%? destination: etc/ssh_config %>

No ideas from me, really.  I just hope we'll still be able
to do the equiv of

if 'sidai:hpux' in protos:
    res['destname'] = 'etc/wibble/wobble'
else:
    res['destname'] = '__none__'

i.e. being able execute arbitrary code to set it is useful.

> I was also thinking that maybe the filename could be used if no 
> destination has been given and it matches a particular form - 
> 'etc:ssh_config.tmpl' for instance?

-1 from me, I think; just not worth it...  Even in the
simplest case, having the name in the source is
mildly-pleasant documentation.

Will