And When To Mix The Two Approaches?

• Since XML parsers are very annoying (DOM, anyone?), we wrote our own wrapper library on top, which supported a sub-set of XML that made our lives simpler.
• In general - if it takes longer to search for a good software tool, then it will take to develop and maintain it - I prefer to develop it and gain the extra control over the source and the features.
• Sometimes a hybrid approach is best - take an existing software that does most of what you want, and add what you need. This is how we handled the DNS server.

Originally written by guy keren