Convention over Configuration or Convention with Configuration?
I’ve finally found a great communicator who does not use Microsoft development tools and does not love XML unconditionally. This man is Sean Kelly, consultant. I just read his article “ XML Sit Ups.” I’ve seen his incredible screencast. I wish I knew Python. Really. It’s something to work for... like regular exercise… developer hygiene…
In the mean time, here is the question: ‘Convention over configuration—or convention with configuration?’ I’m influenced by what I consider a “positive” Microsoft trait: why can’t we do a little bit of multiple things instead of one thing? Why can’t we have conventional arrangements based on clear patterns as semantics—and a few, small XML configuration files. So the Ruby on Rails people ‘hate’ XML. Does this mean that we should never touch an XML file ever again? It’s been said before and will be said again: you can’t write snicker-proof code—someone somewhere will find a reason to laugh it off…