[Python-Dev] Fixing the XML batteries

["Martin v. Löwis"]

> a) The stdlib documentation should help users to choose the right tool
> right from the start. Instead of using the totally misleading wording
> that it uses now, it should be honest about the performance
> characteristics of MiniDOM and should actively suggest that those who
> don't know what to choose (or even *that* they can choose) should not
> use MiniDOM in the first place.

I disagree. The right approach is not to document performance problems,
but to fix them.

> b) cElementTree should finally loose it's "special" status as a separate
> library and disappear as an accelerator module behind ElementTree. This
> has been suggested a couple of times already, and AFAIR, there was some
> opposition because 1) ET was maintained outside of the stdlib and 2) the
> APIs of both were not identical. However, getting ET 1.3 into Py2.7 and
> 3.2 was a U-turn.

Unfortunately (?), there is a near-contract-like agreement with Fredrik
Lundh that any significant changes to ElementTree in the standard
library have to be agreed by him. So whatever change you plan: make sure
Fredrik gives his explicit support.

Regards,
Martin