Sigfrid Lundberg published a blog post in July 2010 [1] expressing a dislike for the XML markup language.

The critique reflects a broader, recurring debate within the software engineering community regarding the efficiency and usability of data interchange formats. As developers seek simpler alternatives, such as JSON, the friction caused by verbose syntax often becomes a point of professional contention.

Writing on his personal blog, Lundberg described his experience with the technology. "I hate XML," Lundberg said [1]. He described the process of working with the language as a significant burden, stating, "XML is a pain in the ass" [1].

Lundberg focused on the general irritation caused by the language's structure and requirements. "It’s just… annoying," Lundberg said [1]. The post served as a vent for the perceived drawbacks and complexities associated with the format during that period.

While the post was a personal reflection, it gained some visibility within the developer community. The content eventually appeared on Hacker News, where it received four points [2].

XML, or Extensible Markup Language, was designed to store and transport data in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. However, the verbosity that allows for its structure often leads to the frustrations described by Lundberg, specifically the overhead required to parse and write the tags.

“"I hate XML."”

This critique captures a specific moment in the evolution of web standards. By voicing frustration with the verbosity and complexity of XML, Lundberg's post mirrors the industry shift toward more lightweight data formats that prioritize developer speed and reduced payload sizes over the rigid hierarchical structures of the early 2000s.