Custom Binary Formats vs XML

Developers should learn and use custom binary formats when working on performance-critical applications where data size, parsing speed, or memory usage are paramount, such as in real-time systems, high-frequency trading, or video game asset pipelines meets developers should learn xml when working with data interchange, configuration files, web services (like soap), or document storage where structured, platform-independent data is required. Here's our take.

Custom Binary Formats

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use custom binary formats when working on performance-critical applications where data size, parsing speed, or memory usage are paramount, such as in real-time systems, high-frequency trading, or video game asset pipelines

Pros

• They are also essential for legacy system maintenance, proprietary software development, or when standard formats lack necessary features like compactness or type safety
• Related to: data-serialization, low-level-programming

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

XML

Developers should learn XML when working with data interchange, configuration files, web services (like SOAP), or document storage where structured, platform-independent data is required

Pros

• It is essential in scenarios involving legacy systems, enterprise applications, and standards like RSS feeds or SVG graphics, as it ensures interoperability and data integrity across diverse environments
• Related to: xslt, xml-schema

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Custom Binary Formats is a concept while XML is a language. We picked Custom Binary Formats based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Custom Binary Formats wins

Based on overall popularity. Custom Binary Formats is more widely used, but XML excels in its own space.