[Kmymoney-devel] [Kmymoney] Format specs for kmymoney file

[Jack]

On 2015.09.11 14:32, Christian Dávid wrote:
> Am Freitag, 11. September 2015, 10:49:22 schrieb Jack:
> > If it's XML, there really ought to be a DTD.  While it may not  
> matter
> > if KMM is the only program to use .kmy files, it would afford an
> > additional layer of certainty when there are others, such as an  
> android
> > app.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how much effort it would take to
> > create one, but I suppose I'll file a wishlist and add relevant
> > documentation to my to-read list.
> 
> Hi,
> 
> please note: With KMyMoney 4.8 the format will contain more data.  
> Also some of
> it is defined by plugins. So potentially we do not know all details.  
> However, I
> do not expect any plugin in near future which are not created by us.
> 
> Greetings
> Christian

I know there is no way to be sure until it is done, but I would make a  
very strong request that the XML format always be one that could be  
properly described by a DTD.  While it might be necessary to extend  
that "virtual" DTD for each plugin that stores data in the file, I  
actually think that optional fields and tags could be "defined" in a  
way that expansion is OK, even without needing to change the DTD.   
Without restrictions like this, I think you really lose the advantage  
of using XML - the ability to confirm the validity of any particular  
xml file.  For now, where KMM is the only user, it doesn't really  
matter much, but if an android app is ever created/released, or any  
other special purpose apps (in lieu of writing a plugin, for example to  
do year end reporting and consolidation (removing old transactions and  
adjusting starting balances)) having a definitive format definition  
would be really helpful.

Jack