Which is better XML: nested elements or attributes?

Question

Traditionally, I've used XML like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE log SYSTEM "example.dtd">
<log>
    <record>
        <date>2014-05-16T17:58:52</date>
        <level>INFO</level>
        <message>This is the English stuff to present to humans.</message>
    </record>
    <record>
        <date>2014-05-16T17:59:00</date>
        <level>FINE</level>
        <message>Core crashed. Attempting smooth restart...</message>
        <exception>
            <message>Concurrent Modification Exception</message>
            <frame>
                <class>java.util.ArrayList$Itr</class>
                <method>checkForComodification</method>
                <line>859</line>
            </frame>
            <frame>
                <class>java.util.ArrayList$Itr</class>
                <method>next</method>
                <line>831</line>
            </frame>
            <frame>
                <class>com.name.app.Main$3</class>
                <method>run</method>
                <line>120</line>
            </frame>
            <frame>
                <class>java.lang.Thread</class>
                <method>run</method>
                <line>744</line>
            </frame>
        </exception>
    </record>
</log>

But recently I've learned Android and how they do XML, and fell in love with this format:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE log SYSTEM "example2.dtd">
<log>
    <record
        date="2014-05-16T17:58:52"
        level="INFO"
        message="This is the English stuff to present to humans."/>
    <record
        date="2014-05-16T17:59:00"
        level="FINE"
        message="Core crashed. Attempting smooth restart...">
        <exception
            message="Concurrent Modification Exception">
            <frame
                class="java.util.ArrayList$Itr"
                method="checkForComodification"
                line="859"/>
            <frame
                class="java.util.ArrayList$Itr"
                method="next"
                line="831"/>
            <frame
                class="com.name.app.Main$3"
                method="run"
                line="120"/>
            <frame
                class="java.lang.Thread"
                method="run"
                line="744"/>
        </exception>
    </record>
</log>

Is either of these better than the other? Is one more encouraged, or is another parsed faster? What are any advantages or disadvantages, or is it only preference?

If this is solely up to preference, I prefer the second, simply because it looks easier to read once highlighted. — Ky., Dec 07 '14 at 01:41
There are lots of answers handling this question. For example you might start with reading http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33746 — Uli, Feb 09 '15 at 20:13

Which is better XML: nested elements or attributes?

0 Answers0