What's the purpose of the .cached.xmb files ?

[Manimal]

For every .xml there is a .cached.xmb file within public.zip, which one is stored in binaries\data\mods\public .

What's the purpose of such files like the one below ?

.\0 A.D. alpha 0.0.25\binaries\data\mods\public\public.zip->\simulation\templates\template_structure_civic_civil_centre.xml.cached.xmb

Thanks for your enlightments.

[Stan`]

Hi they are cached xml files. They are smaller and faster to read for the engine.

[Manimal]

Hi Stan,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I just took a look at the file sizes and I found no noticeable difference except for a few files.
And what I see is contradictory :  xml files are slightly bigger than xml ones. (the few exceptions mentioned above)

Now my question is :

Would/Could those XMB files interfere with my modified XML ?
If yes, then how could I edit those XMBs ?

Edited August 12, 2022 by Manimal

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

XMBs are binary versions of XMLs. They aren't necessarily smaller, but they are more efficient for the engine. XMBs should not interfere with an XML that you mod. Your mod should overwrite them.

[Stan`]

There are some optimizations that could be done according to @vladislavbelov

[Manimal]

Thanks you guys for your enlightments.

I'm curious (by nature) : what are those optimizations about ?
(if this is not a manufacturing secret, and not too early to ask)

EDIT : I'm looking forward (eagerly) to the release of Alpha XXVI

Edited August 13, 2022 by Manimal

[hyperion]

5 hours ago, Manimal said:

I'm curious (by nature) : what are those optimizations about ?
(if this is not a manufacturing secret, and not too early to ask)

Parsing xml isn't very fast, also you have a whole inheritance chain of xml files for a template. Once you have done all work you have an in memory representation which you could just dump bit by bit to disk and read back which is much faster. Well, it's not exactly as easy but explains the basic idea quite well.

The code is open, for the gory details I suggest you start digging into it.

[Manimal]

On 13/08/2022 at 8:31 AM, hyperion said:

The code is open, for the gory details I suggest you start digging into it.

Thank you hyperion.

I have to dig into some details in order to make a mod that's as much as possible functionnal and reliable.
Reading and understanding the code in the JS files will take me a while given my little coding skills are rusty...

Keep up the good work
Bon courage during this warm summer. (Sorry I still didn't find a satisfying translation for this french expression)

[Stan`]

2 hours ago, Manimal said:

Thank you hyperion.

I have to dig into some details in order to make a mod that's as much as possible functionnal and reliable.
Reading and understanding the code in the JS files will take me a while given my little coding skills are rusty...

Keep up the good work
Bon courage during this warm summer. (Sorry I still didn't find a satisfying translation for this french expression)

Don't forget to read the modding documentation.  https://trac.wildfiregames.com/#Formodders:

Stay safe too  28 degrees in my flat right now.