Following somebody’s helpful advice I have for years used this line of code to write out a file:

tree.write(newname, encoding=tree.docinfo.encoding,, xml_declaration=True, pretty_print=True)

When  running a script in Pycharm, its AI suggested  just “tree.write(newname)” . I used the simpler form for a document, and it seemed to make no difference to the structure or display of the document.

It’s a lot less to type and certainly easier to remember.  Does the specification of features ever make a difference?

Martin Mueller

Professor emeritus of English and Classics

Northwestern University