[XML-SIG] Interested in feedback

[Paul Prescod]

Some interesting ideas...to a certain extent, though you should watch
out for reinventing the wheel.

Benjamin Saller wrote:
> 
> xml.getValue("container1.allow.host")     # == 'loki'
> xml.getValue("container2.allow.host[1]")  # == 'foo.bar.com'

What happens if you don't give an index but there are multiple
sub-elements of a type? Do you get a list or the first one?

The "." is a legal XML name character. You could have an element type
named "container1.allow.host." 

"/" would be a better choice.

If you do use "/" then you will have reinvented a tiny subset of XPath.
No harm in that: you should probably look at the spec and try to
rationalize your mini-language with it explicitly. I think that Python
1.7 should have an XPath subset in it and this is probably a good start.

Also, insofar as you have an in-memory tree data structure, it might be
better to use a DOM rather than building your own structure using SAX.

-- 
 Paul Prescod - Not encumbered by corporate consensus
When George Bush entered office, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found
that 62 percent of Americans "would be willing to give up a few of the
freedoms we have" for the war effort. They have gotten their wish.
	- "This is your bill of rights...on drugs", Harpers, Dec. 1999