iTunes 12.2: Share iTunes Library XML with other applications

I noticed this change in the preferences when comparing to screenshots of my previous version of iTunes, I unchecked it because I didn't want 3rd party apps digging into my iTunes Library. And I googled for the phrase "Share iTunes Library XML with other applications", nothing came up until the new Instant Expert article which is OFC as usual one of the first on the web to address this change, yay iLounge!

It reads:

Quote:

The Advanced section of preferences now also sees the return of the Share iTunes Library XML with other applications option, which has come and gone in iTunes over the years—usually when missing iTunes just automatically writes the XML file, so the presence of this option is essentially just in case you want to turn the option OFF for performance or security reasons. When enabled, iTunes will output and maintain a write-only XML version of the library database that third-party applications can read to get information about the iTunes library. It’s a more advanced feature that most users won’t need unless you’re running third-party software that needs to read your iTunes library database.

So after I read that, I compared my manual backups of the iTunes Library files I make periodically, and I notice now that the XML file is indeed missing in the current iTunes folder because I unchecked that option. I was just wondering, is this file (iTunes Music Library.xml) crucial to possible future crashes? I always thought it was the iTunes Library.itl file anyways that was important for rebuilding corruption issues. I was just wondering if I should keep it checked. A curiosity; thanks.

One thing I noticed is that tagging is much faster now with this unchecked.

(not sure if it's relevant but I am not signing up for Apple Music, I wasn't sure how that affects the library files; and I don't use any Apple Scripts being a PC user or any other software that interacts with iTunes)

via iLounge Forums http://ift.tt/1HEcohM