The problem with JSON and XML based file formats is the tendency to require further parsing to decode values from strings. A universal interchange file format would have the ability to express all common data types through the composition of atomic values and containers.
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Between all the major programming language families, you won’t find more than a couple dozen atomic types, a dozen distinct (up to isomorphism) container types, and a couple conventions for nominal containers that achieve globally unambiguous name scoping.
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A desirable property here is: A value expressed in a universal interchange format unambiguously expresses its type, with no question of e.g. whether a string should be interpreted as a string, an enum, or a hex encoded byte array.
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Another desirable property is diffability. JSON makes single-line semantic changes require multi-line adjustment of commas, and XML with end tags.
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Finally, real data contains some equivalent of pointers or references, often with cycles. A universal interchange format must be able to express a snapshot of this data at a point in time, including references to external data that may be found elsewhere.
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It’s the lack of this notion of local and remote references in data that leaves Java and C# requiring ad hoc database glue layers in languages that were otherwise sufficiently high-level that they could have solved the problem in a wonderfully general way.
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Replying to @larsiusprime
I’ve been experimenting with a C#/Python family syntax encompassing these ideas for a very long time, but parts remain elusive.
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Replying to @TimSweeneyEpic @larsiusprime
It’s hampered by the desire to make an interchange format that’s a proper subset of a general programming language which doesn’t impose temporal opinions about types.
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Replying to @TimSweeneyEpic
anything in particular happen lately that makes you comment on it now? Suddenly make some progress or just felt like thinking out loud?
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I gave a talk about technical foundations for the metaverse at SigGraph and it made me realize I should share these thoughts publicly and not wait to try to design the perfect thing.
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Replying to @TimSweeneyEpic @larsiusprime
Can you please share the talk slides?
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Replying to @TimSweeneyEpic @larsiusprime
I agree with all of the above

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