[step-manufacturing] RE: [IRB] XML or P21 data exchange testing at Hershey

[Martin Hardwick]

John,

Good questions.

The information content is the same in XML and P21, but there is a 
lot more software available for processing XML data so using an XML 
file format has the following technical advantages for STEP-NC:

1. Programmers can use XML software to write applications for the data
2. Systems can use XML Schema to check the data
3. Enterprises can mix STEP-NC data with ERP data and other kinds of data

Therefore, the advantage of using XML is the strategic one of making 
the data more accessible to a larger community.

The penalty for using XML is larger files sizes. Here are three data points:

                 P21 format              XML format
a               484K                    776K
b               2064K                   3394K
c               2936K                   4636K

All the files measured are CC2 and they include the geometry of the 
part, stock, fixtures and cutting tools in addition to the geometry 
of the tool paths.

We have not completed our measurements but these volumes seem to 
translate into an increase in the typical time to load a file from 
three seconds to four seconds. This is because although the file size 
has almost doubled, the processing of the file format is only the 
first stage of data reading, the next stage is to make semantic sense 
of the content and convert it into something that can be processed by 
the application. The time for the second stage (and any subsequent 
stages) remains the same.

Martin



At 11:16 AM 8/7/2006, John Callen wrote:
>Martin,
>
>I think I understand what would be meant by testing Part 21 (Physical File)
>representation of STEP-NC.  This is comparable to past demonstrations and
>consistent with STEP usage/practice in the field.  I'm not really sure what
>is meant when you say test Part 28 (XML) data, though.   Can you provide
>some description of the XML scenario which highlights how it differs from
>the Physical File test?  This would be very useful in providing input as to
>which testing scenario is preferred.
>
>Thanks,
>
>--John
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: irb-bounces at steptools.com
> > [mailto:irb-bounces at steptools.com] On Behalf Of Martin Hardwick
> > Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 7:28 PM
> > To: step-manufacturing at steptools.com; irb at steptools.com
> > Subject: [IRB] XML or P21 data exchange testing at Hershey
> >
> >
> > All,
> >
> > Hope you are having a good summer.
> >
> > We are preparing software for the CAM to CNC data exchange
> > testing that is to take place at the Hershey meeting in
> > October. The software consists of code that can be used to
> > create STEP-NC data from CAM systems, and a
> > viewing/translation system that can be used to verify the data.
> >
> > Before releasing the software we would like to know if you
> > would prefer to test P21 data exchange or P28 (XML) data
> > exchange in this round of testing. Our opinion is that XML
> > data exchange testing would be more interesting.
> >
> > It would be very helpful if you could let us know your preference.
> >
> > Thank you very much for your continuing support of STEP-NC
> >
> > Martin Hardwick
> > Team Leader STEP-Manufacturing
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > IRB at steptools.com
> > http://lists.steptools.com/mailman/listinfo/irb
> >
> >
>
>
>
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