TAO: a simple alternative to XML, JSON, S-expressions

TAO (Tree Annotation Operator) is a unique and extremely simple Tree Annotation Syntax which can be used in all kinds of contexts. It is easily readable and writable by humans and machines and has only three basic constructs:

• Tree, the generic data structure.
• Annotation or note, the generic data primitive.
• Operator or op, the generic extension mechanism.

These can be used to encode arbitrary data types.

To learn more examine:

• Examples of data encoded in TAO
• The interactive TAO parser
• The formal grammar of TAO
• The principles of TAO
• Comparisons with other syntaxes
• The subjects of future work

For inquiries or to report an error, go to github or contact Dariusz Jędrzejczak.