News Release: W3C Issues "Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume One" as a Recommendation

To celebrate W3C's Tenth anniversary, December 2004 has been officially
declared W3C month in Massachusetts.  What better time for the W3C's
Technical Architecture Group (TAG) to issue a seminal recommendation,
"Architecture of the World Wide Web." The document, written by those
whose involvement in Web technical development date to its early days,
distills conventional wisdom into one concise document. It has immediate
applicability to software developers worldwide.

For more information on the Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume
One, and interviews with members of W3C's TAG, please contact Janet Daly
<janet@w3.org> at +1 617 253 5884.


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World Wide Web Consortium Issues "Architecture of the World Wide Web,
Volume One" as a W3C Recommendation

Core Web Architectural Principles Described and Explained

Web Resources

Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume One
http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-webarch-20041215/

This press release
In English: http://www.w3.org/2004/12/webarch-pressrelease.html.en
In French: http://www.w3.org/2004/12/webarch-pressrelease.html.fr
In Japanese: http://www.w3.org/2004/12/webarch-pressrelease.html.ja

Testimonials from HP, IBM, INRIA, MobileAware, Sun Microsystems,
Top4Office, and Volantis:
http://www.w3.org/2004/12/webarch-testimonials


http://www.w3.org/ -- 15 December 2004 -- The World Wide Web Consortium
announces the publication of "Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume
One" as a W3C Recommendation. The authors of this document, W3C's
Technical Architecture Group (TAG), have documented the architectural
principles that make the Web of today work well, and will help build a
better Web tomorrow.

Technical Architecture Group Distills Conventional Wisdom

In November 2001, W3C responded to a clear demand from the Web community
and the W3C Membership to write down a description of the architecture
of the Web. Aspects of the architecture have been described and debated
many times in the past, but the overall principles which make the Web as
we know it work, and work well, have not previously been described in a
single, coherent document by a group of acknowledged experts, and
reviewed in such a focused manner by the community.

"All TAG participants, past and present, have had a hand in many parts
of the design of the Web," explains Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director, and
co-Chair of the TAG. "In the Architecture document, they emphasize what
characteristics of the Web must be preserved when inventing new
technology. They notice where the current systems don't work well, and
as a result show weakness. This document is a pithy summary of the
wisdom of the community."

Wide Community Review Ensures Real World Relevance

The TAG conducted its work on an active, public mailing list, which
helped ensure that its description of the Web reflected the real world
concerns of developers. In some cases, principles were found to be
widely applicable. In others, principles had a more restricted domain or
represented tradeoffs between conflicting requirements. The TAG
documented the points to be considered, to allow technology developers
to make well-informed choices. "The discussion process produced a wider
appreciation of the design principles on which the Web is based," notes
Chris Lilley, TAG participant, "and the Architecture document
crystallizes that shared understanding for easy reference."

Essential Web design principles should not be merely understanding among
small groups of expert developers. By collecting and debating issues in
an open forum, the TAG has documented and clarified those principles
which have stood the test of time and are widely implemented. As the Web
continues to grow on an unprecedented scale, new generations of
developers need to have a concise reference to the important design
concepts. Newer additions can then take advantage of a secure and
scalable foundation. It is gratifying to note that some university
courses in Distributed Systems have already taken up the TAG's work as a
course text, and it is already influencing product design.

Authors Represent Expertise in Web and Applications Technologies

The eight participants in the W3C Technical Architecture Group (TAG)
elected by the W3C Advisory Committee and appointed by the Director are
Dan Connolly (W3C), Paul Cotton (Microsoft), Roy Fielding (Day
Software), Chris Lilley (W3C), Noah Mendelsohn (IBM), Norman Walsh (Sun
Microsystems), and co-Chairs Stuart Williams (Hewlett-Packard) and Tim
Berners-Lee (W3C). Past TAG participants are Tim Bray (Antarctica
Systems), Mario Jeckle (DaimlerChrysler), and David Orchard (BEA
Systems). Norm Walsh and Ian Jacobs (W3C) served as editors.

Architectural Work Continues

Volume One of the Web Architecture significantly advances the state of
the art, documenting long-established principles which are well
understood and proven in use. In addition, the TAG is tracking
principles that are currently being tested in rapidly evolving areas.
Future TAG publications will build on Volume One with lessons learned
from integrating Web services, the Semantic Web, and mobile Web. A
single shared Web space is of global benefit. This goal can only be
achieved if all the parts work together harmoniously.

An election for the four open TAG seats begins tomorrow. The W3C
Advisory Committee will cast their votes in the upcoming month for these
positions. Berners-Lee has already nominated Vincent Quint of INRIA to
fill the vacant appointed seat.


Testimonials for W3C's Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume One

These testimonials are in support of W3C issuance of "Architecture of
the World Wide Web, Volume One" as a W3C Recommendation.

HP | IBM | INRIA | MobileAware | Sun Microsystems | Top4Office | Volantis

     HP is delighted to see the publication of "The Architecture of the
World-Wide Web, Volume One" as a W3C Recommendation. We believe that
this publication represents a significant step forward in capturing,
documenting and building consensus around the principles and good
practices that have made the Web what it is today and acts as a
spring-board for both Web Services and the Semantic Web. HP is pleased
to have been able to contribute through its support of Stuart Williams'
active participation as an elected member and Co-chair of W3C's
Technical Architecture Group.
     -- Jim Bell, Director of Industry Standards, HP

     The publication of "Architecture of the World Wide Web" is an
important step forward for the industry. This architecture document sets
out the principles that will facilitate continued success of the Web as
the premier platform for information-sharing and distributed
applications. Consistent with IBM's ongoing commitment to open standards
for the Web, we are pleased to contribute to the work of the Technical
Architecture Group. We congratulate the W3C on their ongoing stewardship
of the fundamental Web standards, and particularly on this important
publication.
     -- Karla Norsworthy, Vice President, Software Standards, IBM

     INRIA welcomes the publication of "Architecture of the World Wide
Web" as a W3C Recommendation. This important document constitutes the
cornerstone of Web technology. By providing a clear statement of the
underlying principles of Web architecture, we believe it will promote
research and help build the Web of the future on a solid foundation.
     -- Gérard Giraudon, Director for Development and Industrial
Relations, INRIA

     MobileAware welcomes this milestone publication, which outlines how
the Web should work and will work into the future. As the Web extends
its reach into the mobile space, this publication will be a key guide,
and MobileAware will be following the good practice and sensible
approach outlined therein. As a developer of solutions for the evolving
mobile Web, we are particularly pleased to see the W3C maintain its
leading role, and we will continue to support this activity through our
work in the Device Independence Working Group. MobileAware congratulates
the W3C Technical Architecture Group for a job well done.
     -- Dr Rotan Hanrahan, Chief Innovations Architect, MobileAware Ltd.

     Sun Microsystems welcomes the approval of Architecture of the World
Wide Web as a W3C Recommendation. This document articulates what makes
the Web work today and provides a strong foundation for moving forward
as Web computing continues to evolve. We believe that core architectural
specifications are important in realizing Sun's vision of open,
interoperable standards and are plaeased to have been able to contribute
to this important work.
     -- Ed Julson, Engineering Director of Web Technologies, Sun
Microsystems

     Top4Office are pleased to see "Architecture of the World Wide Web"
become a W3C Recommendation. We feel that this represents an important
step forward in the progress of the World Wide Web and look forward to
seeing the benefits in the future work of the W3C and all others who
make use of this valuable document. We encourage all who are involved in
the development of technology and solutions for the Web to take notice
of this important development and to implement the sound principles it
contains in their future work.
     -- Nigel Peck, Webmaster, Top4Office

Volantis welcomes the excellent publication "Architecture of the World
Wide Web" as a W3C Recommendation. It brings clarity to the description
of the operation of the web as well as defining good practice. This is
important for Volantis as we enhance and extend our leading
device-independent mobile and multi-channel technology. It is also a key
resource for the work of the Device Independence Working Group (DIWG),
helping crystalise our thinking about delivering the Web to anyone using
any device.

Dr. Rhys Lewis, Director of Software Architecture, Volantis Systems Ltd.
& Chair, W3C DIWG



Contact Americas and Australia --
     Janet Daly, <janet@w3.org>, +1.617.253.5884
Contact Europe, Africa and Middle East --
     Marie-Claire Forgue, <mcf@w3.org>, +33.492.38.75.94
Contact Asia --
     Yasuyuki Hirakawa <chibao@w3.org>, +81.466.49.1170

About the World Wide Web Consortium [W3C]

The W3C was created to lead the Web to its full potential by developing
common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its
interoperability. It is an international industry consortium jointly run
by the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
(CSAIL) in the USA, the European Research Consortium for Informatics and
Mathematics (ERCIM) headquartered in France and Keio University in
Japan. Services provided by the Consortium include: a repository of
information about the World Wide Web for developers and users, and
various prototype and sample applications to demonstrate use of new
technology. More than 350 organizations are Members of W3C. To learn
more, see http://www.w3.org/


-- 


World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Janet Daly, Global Communications Officer
MIT/CSAIL, Building 32-G518
32 Vassar Street
Cambridge, MA 02139

voice: 617.253.5884
fax:   617.258.5999
http://www.w3.org/
janet@w3.org

Received on Wednesday, 15 December 2004 13:15:32 UTC