[JSR308] Replace JAIF format with XML for external annotations

[Michael Ernst]

David-

> 1. No source code for the annotation file parser

Oops!  I thought this had been corrected.  We'll fix them in the next
release (which won't be until early September for this tool, probably).  I
can send you source code in the meanwhile; just ask by private email.

> 2. No API docs for the annotation file parser

It's in the source, which we can provide you.

> 3. The implementation does not specify a license

We can add one (don't worry -- we want wide use).

> 4. The grammar in the annotation file spec is inconsistent
>   and incompletely specified
>    [I've emailed a couple of my concerns to the javari mailing list]

The things you pointed out have already been corrected.  (Thanks for the
comments!)

> 5. The annotation file spec refers back to the JLS in a couple
>   places, for example, constant values.

This seemed briefer and easier than defining them ourselves.


Overall, the syntax of this particular tool doesn't seem like a big deal
either way to me.  As I have noted, I would be happy to see it support
other formats.

                    -Mike