On YAML Discussions

The article delves into the limitations of using YAML for CI configurations, highlighting how Earthly offers more robust and reproducible build definitions as an alternative. It explores the pitfalls of embedding domain-specific languages (DSLs) within YAML, such as the false perception that configurations are easier to manage or understand when separated from the code, and the complexities that arise when non-programmers attempt to engage with business logic encoded in supposedly "human-readable" formats. The text also discusses alternatives like Dhall, HCL, jsonnet, and Cue, suggesting that full programming languages, like JavaScript or Python, often offer more flexibility and clarity for configuration needs. Additionally, it touches upon the convenience of YAML in parsing small DSLs, despite its shortcomings for complex programming tasks, and concludes with a nod to the ongoing discussions and debates about these issues in online forums.