Status of Character Entities Without DTDs?

As part of the "RDF in HTML" taskforce, I've been trying to understand if 
there are any existing commitments towards delivering entity like 
functionality without reliance upon DTDs. My conclusion from [1] is:

       Consequently, it appears the Schema WG has a pending action to
       satisfy the HTML WG, and the Core WG has a pending requirement for
       XHTML 2.0. Absent the explicit designation of resources to
       furtherer this issue, I simply expect many formats (e.g., HTML,
       MathML) will continue to rely upon DTDs.

Consequently, could the XML CG provide me any guidance/expectations for 
dates associated with:
1. an XML 2.0 that satisfies this requirement, or
2. of any plans to work on an element set for common character entities 
(from the Schema WG or otherwise).

Thanks!


[1] http://www.w3.org/2003/03/rdf-in-xml.html
    1. Possible ACTION XML Core or XML Schema WG: develop a specification
       (of XML or XML Schema) that specifies a feature akin to character
       entities without DTDs. This would permit the HTML WG to move
       towards relying upon alternative schema languages (e.g., XML
       Schema and RelaxNG) that would then be more permissive with
       respect to including foreign XML (including embedded RDF 1.0
       serializations).
       The following history was investigated to determine if any
       existing commitments are pending (most links are to Member only
       resources):
          + In May 2000 Steven Pemberton (for HTML WG) [36]asked the
            Schema WG to "include a facility to define at least character
            entities."
          + In October 2000 Don Mullen (for XML Schema WG) [37]declined
            and suggested two work-arounds "specify entities in an
            entity-only DTD" or "use markup such as <eacute/> instead of
            &eacute;" and that the WG greed by "majority vote to instruct
            the chairs to take this issue to the XML CG for consideration
            as a possible candidate requirement for XML 2.0."
          + In October 2000 Steven Pemberton (for HTML WG) objected "The
            HTML working group has instructed me to forward their dissent
            from your WG's decision, and to ask you to send the issue for
            review by the director. The group is unhappy with the idea
            that a user agent would have to be able to process schemas as
            well as DTD fragments, when an aim of schemas was to replace
            DTDs."
          + In October 2000 the [38]Director Review meeting "RESOLVED:
            Uphold the decision that this problem need not be solved in
            XML Schema part 1/2. However, XML Schema WG must ensure that
            this issue is resolved. It may be solved in a future version
            of XML Schema spec, in a separate spec, or by another WG (or
            by persuading the world that it's not really a problem that
            needs solving). [MSM laughs humorlessly.]" However, no
            progress has been made.
          + In June 2002 Steven Pemberton (for HTML WG) noted these
            difficulties again and a [39]request was forwarded to the
            Core WG.
          + In October 2002, the XML Core WG declared [40]that the
            existing methods of DTD reliance are sufficient.
          + In October 2002, the HTML WG was [41]confounded.
       Consequently, it appears the Schema WG has a pending action to
       satisfy the HTML WG, and the Core WG has a pending requirement for
       XHTML 2.0. Absent the explicit designation of resources to
       investigate this issue, I simply expect many formats (e.g., HTML,
       MathML) will continue to rely upon DTDs.

Received on Wednesday, 16 July 2003 16:12:40 UTC