Re: Text-based save file format
Posted: 14 Jul 2015, 20:52
I agree that a text-based file save format would be very useful. I have wanted it for reasons already stated: better use with version control tools, checking what changed between files, etc.
I had a thought recently though, that perhaps a diff/merge tool could be made that works with the binary files. Maybe such a tool could read the parameters of the binary files and display the parameters that changed between them. This would be useful if a text based file format isn't feasible, or couldn't be ready as quickly as the diff tool would be. I imagine it would also be useful for comparing the files that are already saved in the current file format even if a textual file save format is made later. It could also be written such that the binary files still always remain consistent when saved, which was one of the concerns about a textual file format.
I realize that creating such a tool might actually be more work than changing the file save format, but thought I'd add the suggestion since it would at least partially address some of the issues that motivate the need for a textual file save format.
I had a thought recently though, that perhaps a diff/merge tool could be made that works with the binary files. Maybe such a tool could read the parameters of the binary files and display the parameters that changed between them. This would be useful if a text based file format isn't feasible, or couldn't be ready as quickly as the diff tool would be. I imagine it would also be useful for comparing the files that are already saved in the current file format even if a textual file save format is made later. It could also be written such that the binary files still always remain consistent when saved, which was one of the concerns about a textual file format.
I realize that creating such a tool might actually be more work than changing the file save format, but thought I'd add the suggestion since it would at least partially address some of the issues that motivate the need for a textual file save format.