How would you feel if I made some mods to the current Estab XML file structure?
The way it is structured at the moment is a bit of a pain (open it in a browser to see what I mean).
I would like to add a bit more of a heirarchy to the structure, i.e. have an "images" node with all the images nested under that. It would mean you could then just collapse all the images out of the way with one click.
I would also like to update the Estab Editor to use a new data type for the values which are floating point numbers. It's a pain, and can leed to bugs, with the way it rounds numbers at the moment.
I would also be changing some of the text values for various types used in the file. Nothing major, just to make them more consitant internaly in our code.
This has come about while I was working on a small untility to list all the weapons data in the Estab XML file. I realised if I restrutured the XML as above I could get away with writing a LOT less code, and this is a good thing! For myself and anyone else who wants to manipluate the Estab XML data. (started this utility as a way to verify our data, which is needed for some of the issues reported here).
The original code for the Estab Editor was written in VB.Net V1.0, and it shows! There is a lot more of it than there needs to be and its a bit cluncky and error prone to add/change things.
If the little utility I am writing works then I eventually would like to migrate the Estab Editor functions to it. The code base would be a lot smaller, cleaner and hence easier to maintain/enhance.
What would the impact be:
- A new Estab XML file structure (version 4).
- Better able to view Estab data in your browser of choice, or XML editing utility.
- Ability to write utilities for manipulating/viewing the Estab XML file with the minimum of code.
- Better handling of floating point values.
- You would have to convert any Estab XML files you currently have to the new standard.
How would you convert your existing XML files:
- Using your CURRENT copy of the Estab Editor compile your XML to a .coe file
- Install a patch that supported the new Estab XML file structure
- Using your NEW copy of the Estab Editor export your .coe file to an Estab XML file
So, if I went ahead with this would anyone be to upset?