> Occasionally a big enough entity will mandate "everyone will use our data xfer spec" (and it's typically some gnarly XML-infested SOAPy animal). In which cas

> Occasionally a big enough entity will mandate "everyone will use our data xfer spec" (and it's typically some gnarly XML-infested SOAPy animal). In which case, you leave your CSV-over-scp or CSV-over-FTP in place, and duct tape on another layer that handles the new data transfer spec. That way you can leave the 8 year old process itself alone and let it keep creaking away, silently chugging away as it slowly fades into the twilight of "important but forgotten" systems running on autopilot throughout the years. It reminds me of how places like Rome still have sewers from the days of Ancient Rome in operation. Rather than replace them outright, they were just connected them to the newer sewer system to divert the waste to treatment plants instead of directly to water sources. And they'll keep on going, only being updated when absolutely necessary to warrant it.