O Google tá abrindo o código do formato de intercâmbio de dados usado internamente pela empresa batizado de Protocol Buffers.
De acordo com o Google Open Source Blog, o formato é mais fácil de usar que a IDL e pelo menos uma ordem de magnitude mais rápido que o XML.
Google Open Source Blog: Protocol Buffers: Google's Data Interchange Format
OK, I know what you're thinking: "Yet another IDL?" Yes, you could call it that. But, IDLs in general have earned a reputation for being hopelessly complicated. On the other hand, one of Protocol Buffers' major design goals is simplicity. By sticking to a simple lists-and-records model that solves the majority of problems and resisting the desire to chase diminishing returns, we believe we have created something that is powerful without being bloated. And, yes, it is very fast – at least an order of magnitude faster than XML.
A documentação e o código do Protocol Buffers já estão disponíveis. Vale ver tb a discussão no Slashdot.

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