Jeff Prickett wrote:
>
> Hello Kevin and all
>
> I was wondering if anyone had any objections to using JLex to parse our
> iCalendar streams. Writing that parser by hand is a tough job, and time is
> ticking on.
>
> I have been reluctant to use JLex, but think in the end it can generate a
> better parser in less time. Writing the parser by hand is just too labor
> intensive.
>
> Pros
> 1. After the initial learning curve this could save significant
> development time.
>
> 2. When you want to drive a nail into wood use a hammer, JLex is
> specifically designed to do parsing.
>
> 3. Supporting another open source project.
>
> Cons
>
> 1. For those not familiar with lexical analyzers. They use .lex files to
> generate source code files. In the case of Jlex a Jlex .lex file generates
> java code. Anyway, some people dont like autogeneration of source.
>
> Comments....
So the problem I think is that iCalendar isn't an XML protocol. It (and
other protocols like LDAP/IMAP) are dead in most respects. Defining
wire protocols for every single applications is an old approach and
won't happen except in certain situations like hardware devices where it
might actually be needed.
So I am wondering if it doesn't just make sense to eat our "own"
dogfood. Although not an official Apache project Castor is APL and is
very active and a cool approach. If we take an iCalendar request and
map it to XML via an XML schema we have writen we should be able to
think of everything as a Java and not the iCalendar protocol.
Check out the Castor DSML module. It is an LDAP directory exchange via
XML. It uses JNDI so they don't have to parse it out.
Also, is it possible to use a JNDI provider with this? It seems easier
and probably will map very well. We could then use the DSML project and
tweak it to work with iCalendar.
Honestly lex was a cool approach. Everything now will be done with
XSLT/XML Schema and code generators like castor.
Just my $.02
Kevin
--
Kevin A Burton ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
http://relativity.yi.org
Message to SUN: "Open Source Java!"
"For evil to win is for good men to do nothing."
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