Store data in C# source files vs. XML etc...?

Question

This is a C# question.

I was just wandering if anyone tried storing their data (like config files for example), in the *.cs file, instead of XML?

I really hate XML. The whole idea of parsing html-like structure every time you need some data seems stupid.

Are there lightweight alternatives (like YAML) to XML? In my case I actually need to store some data for a (game) Level, where there are a lot of different objects, terrain types, etc... in a flat file, so I can read it later.

I guess I could serialize my Level class, but I want the data-file to be EDITABLE in any text editor for example.

Any help would be welcome, thanks!

PS: Regarding .cs files, I forgot to mention that I want the ability to create (and save) new levels in game, through an editor.

Answer 1

I've been working in the game industry for years, and we use XML because it's got the best tool support. Yaml or Ini files are used for configs, but game data is stored in XML. Of course we normally have tools that convert XML into binary code, for shipping games, but during development and custom game tools development XML simply rocks.

Sometimes XML is the right hammer for your needs, don't place prejudice on technologies just because they aren't the best in some fields (say Ajax(transport) vs Data Definition)