[docker_up]

We agree to disagree. I don't think you can convince me that all optional is better than all required and vice versa, which is okay. My point is required fields makes software age better over the long run because everything is explicit. If you don't agree, that's your prerogative. Everyone thought NOSQL without schemas was a godsend, until their code/service iterated a dozen times, developers leave, documentation gets out of date, and now all their older data can't be read because it doesn't match the code. Same thing holds true for RPC, in my opinion. Yours may differ.

[joshuamorton]

Right, and my point is that all required fields prevents you from iterating. Your software doesn't age at all.

I've never found the problems you describe, and I work with some of the oldest protos around!