XML
XML Versus JSON Versus YAML for Configuration Files
One small config written three ways: size, comments, types and the YAML country code that parses as False. A decision guide for choosing between them.
5 min read
Tag
explainer
59 posts
YAML
Reading YAML Anchors in CI Files and Merge Key Gotchas
How to expand anchors and merge keys in CI files to see the effective job, and the yq 4.54.1 merge-key order bug that gave retries 2 where the spec says 5.
6 min read
XML
Using XML Namespaces for Extensions Without the Chaos
Let partners add their own data to your XML format safely by giving each extension its own namespace, with a reader that ignores what it does not own.
6 min read
XML
Mixed Content in XML and Why It Hurts Parsing and Mapping
Text and elements side by side look natural in documents and break data models. How ElementTree and lxml expose text and tail, and what to do instead.
6 min read
XML
Embedding Binary Data in XML With Base64 and When Not To
XML cannot hold raw bytes. Base64 adds 33 percent, hex adds 100 percent, and both cost memory. Measured sizes, the schema type, and the alternatives.
6 min read
XML
Modeling Lists and Optional Data in XML Without Surprises
Wrapper elements, empty versus absent versus nil, and the one-item list trap when XML becomes JSON, all demonstrated with real parser output.
6 min read
XML
Versioning an XML Format Without Breaking Existing Readers
Version attribute or new namespace? Test results show how strict schemas reject added elements and how an extension point lets old readers keep working.
6 min read
XML
When XML Attributes Are the Better Choice Over Elements
Attributes suit short identifying values, elements suit everything with structure or long text. A test of the whitespace and ordering rules shows why.
6 min read
ExcelGuide
Excel Security Problems Developers Overlook in Pipelines
Excel risks a data pipeline inherits: formula injection, macros, zip bombs, XML entity attacks, hidden data and weak passwords, with the checks for each.
17 min read
XML
Choosing XML Element Names and Casing That Hold Up
XML names are case sensitive and follow strict character rules. Compare camelCase, snake_case and kebab-case for elements, with the rules that decide.
5 min read
YAML
Why Loading Untrusted YAML Can Run Code and How to Stop It
How a YAML tag makes a loader build arbitrary objects, with a harmless proof in PyYAML, what safe_load and full_load did with it, and Ruby and Java behavior.
6 min read
XMLGuide
Designing XML Documents That Age Well From Day One
A practical guide to XML format design: names, attributes, lists, optional data, binary, namespaces and versions, with a tested worked example.
19 min read