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And that's how we seem to have transitioned to JSON, at least for some information storage and transition :) Remember when it was all the rage to use XML for RPC? and even in AJAX?

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JSON and XML have two totally different application domains. For some XML is better for some JSON. People who think JSON is better never had a problem with changing data schemas, different parties and common interface.

In short XML is a lot more powerful than simple JSON. JSON is a subset of XML with a different syntax.

How is XML any more immune to schema changes?

Is not immune, but you have an explicit contract in the form of a XML Schema Definition (XSD).

XSD is not part of XML, it's a totally separate specification. JSON likewise has schema specifications like JSON Schema.

Also, Protocol Buffers are by far better a better schema language than XSD.

I like XML for streams of data or for data that has to be stored for a long time (like logs). I like JSON for everything else.

Hard to forget, given that you have to type "XMLHttpRequest" every time you do any AJAX (The 'X' in which stands for XML, iirc).

haha ah right! Excellent (and tragic) example! I've been using jQuery too much at work and been spoilt by $.get() ;)

No you don't, since 99% of the time you'd use some library for that, like jQuery.

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