Ethereal-dev: Re: [Ethereal-dev] dissector via XML + scripting

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From: Gilbert Ramirez <gram@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 15:50:55 -0000
On Fri, 2003-12-12 at 07:14, Sergey Lyubka wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I was thinking about the way of adding the new dissector
> without writing any C code, just by quick scripting.
> I came up with the following idea:
> 
> o Protocol specification is written in XML. Simple protocols
>   require just one XML file, more complex ones require additional
>   scripts (forth,python,perl,etc) to dissect.
> o  Ethereal compiles the dissector from the XML at run time.
> 

Take a look at Analyzer and its NetPDL language

http://analyzer.polito.it/30alpha/

While an XML description for a dissector won't be able to handle all
types of protocols, it is enough for some protocols. It may be
worthwhile to see if NetPDL could be used in Ethereal.  I'm already
working with Fulvio (of the Analyzer team) to ensure that the PDML
output format is compatible between Ethereal and Analyzer.

--gilbert