Serialized XML contains version informations and might look like that:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<businessObject xmlns="http://yourcompany.com/path/2.0.1">
  <name>theName</name>
  ...
</businessObject>

It does not contain any “magic” code. It just offers plain and very fast serialization.

It follows those main ideas:

• Version support as first class citizen (Every serialized object gets its version information attached –>necessary for stability)
• Minimized boiler plate code (–> fast results), but:
• No magic (no bad surprises)
• KISS
• Performance, performance!
• Flexibility and therefore stability: Serialized objects can be read with all future versions.

Do not believe the wrong “everything can be done automatically” promise. Write that code that matters. And nothing more.