> (Maybe IMAP is a text format too, so this isn't an advantage inherently)
Actually, IMAP is a binary format that looks like a text format. This distinction is extremely important when you want to make a reliable Email client. There are also multiple ways of encoding text within it, that you need to keep track of.
Personally, I wish they used a structured binary encoding. This becomes especially important when data size efficiency actually matters. With something like protobuf, you can even have the parser for it generated for you. (However, I have worked with binary formats that are more loosely structured.)
Of course I am a fan of well defined and strongly typed formats.
Actually, IMAP is a binary format that looks like a text format. This distinction is extremely important when you want to make a reliable Email client. There are also multiple ways of encoding text within it, that you need to keep track of.
Personally, I wish they used a structured binary encoding. This becomes especially important when data size efficiency actually matters. With something like protobuf, you can even have the parser for it generated for you. (However, I have worked with binary formats that are more loosely structured.)
Of course I am a fan of well defined and strongly typed formats.