Code is not a text string

Why does everyone think that source code can be stored in a text string? It's fucking 2014, you morons. The natural data structure for code is a tree, like in XML. Why do I have to put up with someone else's style conventions, superfluous comments, or with shitty generic syntax? If code was stored in XML, the IDE would be able to display it any way I want. One guy likes the {;} shit, another likes FIOC; one guy likes the faggot GNU style guide with a bunch of lines occupied by only one brace, while another likes the manly

void foo(int x) {
return; }

and so on.

So why the fuck is it still a one size fits all paradigm? It's not like a high school student can't write an XML parser these days. The days of Notepad are over. Besides, it's possible to output XML source code as text, as well as parse text code into XML form. So why the fuck is everyone still in the Stone Age? Either I am a genius, or everyone in the programming industry is an idiot.

>>1
Now you need to add XML support to every popular text editor. Now you need to add formatting rules to every popular text editor, which may be adjusted according to each individual's personal preferences. Now you need to cope with the losses you suffer in expressiveness for particular programming languages. Now you need to worry about converting source code from the old format to the new format. Now you need to worry about adding support in compilers, interpreters, etc.

You're not proposing a solution, you're proposing a problem.

Besides, it's possible to output XML source code as text, as well as parse text code into XML form.

So why look for arguments? If you really believe in this representation, adopt in your own programs. Start off small by storing your own source code this way, then convert it to the old format at build time. See if it catches on and keep us updated on it.

Either I am a genius, or everyone in the programming industry is an idiot.

The latter. Beware of the ones who believe they're geniuses. :-)