XOM API for Processing XML with Java

[Elliotte Rusty Harold <elharo AT metalab.unc.edu>]

At 2:32 PM +0000 2/9/04, dvholten AT computer.org wrote:
> i dont know the actual implementation, but i would guess, that a call to
> hasChildren() can get
> the requested result faster than a getChildCount, which has to determine
> the exact number of childs.
> i propose to investigate on the usage-pattern of hasChildren() , and then
> decide.

I don't think there's any significant speed difference. Internally, 
hasChildren calls getChildCount() which itself just calls 
ArrayList.size(). Both method calls avoid this call if the element 
has no children.

By my count we have about 3 votes in favor and one opposed. I think 
I'm going to remove it unless anyone objects strenuously and 
convincingly. I can always add it back in a future release if this 
proves to be the wrong decision, but if I include it in 1.0 I'm 
pretty much committed to it for the future. Dropping it now is the 
more conservative and agile move.
--

  Elliotte Rusty Harold
  elharo AT metalab.unc.edu
  Effective XML (Addison-Wesley, 2003)
  http://www.cafeconleche.org/books/effectivexml
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0321150406/ref%3Dnosim/cafeaulaitA