A Minimal Format Conversion API as an Experimental Layer for Data Interoperability
This working paper investigates how a minimal API dedicated to XML and JSON conversion can function as an experimental layer for studying data interoperability in modern systems. Rather than focusing on performance optimization or comprehensive schema management, the paper explores the role of simple, stateless format transformation services in contemporary data pipelines.
The investigation is applied and conceptual in nature. It examines a FastAPI-based utility that exposes basic endpoints for converting XML to JSON and JSON to XML, alongside a status endpoint for observability. The goal is not to propose a universal solution for data serialization, but to reflect on how constrained utilities can support experimentation, learning, and integration across heterogeneous systems where legacy and modern formats coexist.
As a working paper, this document does not claim general applicability or production readiness. It presents observations derived from the current implementation, emphasizing design simplicity, explicit error handling, and ease of use. The paper aims to prepare the reader to think about format conversion not as a solved problem, but as a recurring interface challenge that reveals deeper questions about data structure, validation, and semantic loss across representations.
General Information
Motivation
Despite the widespread adoption of JSON as a dominant data interchange format, XML remains deeply embedded in legacy systems, enterprise integrations, and standardized protocols. Engineers frequently encounter scenarios where XML and JSON must coexist, requiring reliable conversion between formats. The motivation behind this investigation is to explore whether a deliberately simple API can reduce friction in these scenarios while making the limitations of format conversion more visible.
The XML/JSON Utility API was conceived as a public utility rather than a full-featured transformation engine. Its primary intent is to offer a lightweight interface for experimentation, prototyping, and educational use.
Scope and assumptions
This work focuses exclusively on syntactic conversion between XML and JSON representations. It assumes well-formed input and does not enforce schemas, namespaces, or semantic validation beyond basic parsing. The API operates in a stateless manner and assumes non-adversarial usage.
The service is positioned as an auxiliary tool rather than a core integration platform, and it is expected that consumers understand the potential ambiguity involved in mapping hierarchical XML structures to JSON objects and back.
Non-goals
This paper does not aim to address schema inference, XML namespaces, attribute preservation strategies, or round-trip fidelity guarantees. It does not attempt to standardize XML-to-JSON mappings or compare alternative serialization formats. Performance benchmarking, security hardening, and large-payload handling are explicitly out of scope.
Status of the investigation
The system is experimental and subject to change. Endpoints, behavior, and implementation details may evolve without notice. Observations reflect the current state of the API rather than a finalized or stabilized design.
