coresitexml

coresitexml is a proposed XML-based data interchange format designed to improve parsing efficiency and reduce payload size for structured data. It seeks to combine the familiarity of XML with a compact representation and schema-driven validation, making it suitable for embedded, web, and IoT workloads. The specification outlines a tag-based syntax with optional compression and a layered encoding model to support both readable and binary-friendly forms.

Origins and goals: Developed within the hypothetical CoreSite project to address XML overhead, coresitexml emphasizes streaming parsing, predictable memory usage, forward compatibility, and extensible namespaces. It aims to be interoperable across languages with reference implementations and tooling for schema authoring.

Key features: The format retains the XML-like tag structure while enabling concise element forms, attribute compression, and an optional binary encoding layer for primitives. It supports namespaces and a coresitexml schema (CSX) for validation, along with streaming APIs that allow partial document processing without loading the entire document.

Usage and tooling: Developers define a CSX schema, serialize data to coresitexml, and parse into language-native objects. Libraries exist in several languages, and the format is designed to be compatible with existing XML tooling, though its ecosystem is smaller than that of JSON or binary formats.

Reception and status: Coresitexml remains mostly in experimental or niche pilot use, with periodic adoption in constrained environments. Critics note reduced readability versus XML and a smaller tooling ecosystem compared with established formats.

See also XML, data serialization formats, schema validation.