Prospects of encoding Java source code in XML

Currently, the only standard format for representing Java source code is plain text-based. This paper explores the prospects of using extensible markup language (XML) for this purpose. XML enables the leverage of tools and standards more powerful than those available for plain-text formats, while retaining broad accessibility. The paper outlines the potential benefits of future XML grammars that would allow for improved code structure and querying possibilities; code extensions, construction, and formatting; and referencing parts of code. It also introduces the concept of grammar levels and argues for the inclusion of several grammar levels into a common framework. It discusses conversions between grammars and some practical grammar design issues.