***WARNING*** THIS DOCUMENT IS BEING REWRITTEN AS A NEW xml-common USER GUIDE HAS BEEN CREATED! As software developers, we grew tired of dealing with configuration files. We would often find that the addition of a new configuration option meant that we needed to modify source code, man pages, example configuration files, etc. We decided it would be nice to maintain a single XML document which described the configurable values and then use various translators to generate the necessary files.

While using XML to describe a applications configuration has many benefits, it makes setting up a software development environment more difficult. However, we (the "we" being Paul and Bill) are convinced that the extra headaches in preparing the development system will be worth the benefit of having a single XML file that the developer needs to maintain.

In making the assumption that the xml-keyval will only the first of many XML based packages, Paul decided it was worth the extra effort to create a "common" set of shared files which will be useful in the creation of the xml-keyval, but also prove useful for

So, we've stuck you, the developer, with the chore of installing extra packages in order to make use of this stategic new technology that will carry us to a new paradigm (sorry, I've been reading too many Dilbert cartoons).

Be forwarned, there is a steep learning curve to making use of XML and this document goes over the issues encountered by a amatuer to the XML world. You should find yourself a real book to gain some background to the XML world before continuing.