Re: XForms Model - XML Schema vs. Simple Syntax - relative importance

>> I can't imagine using XSLT on a PDA to
>> convert Simple->Schema:

I certainly agree with that.

>> Hmm...can a PDA interpret XML Schema?

XML Schemas are just text, and XForms browsers could certainly interpret
them. It is likely in future OSes for PDAs will have XML Schema
functionality, and if not the XForms browsers implementers can write the
schema-code themselves. A future XForms-capable browser is also likely to
include support for SVG, Web3D, SMIL etc., so it is a serious piece of
software engineering - in this context, writing code to interpret XML
Schemas is not that great deal.

As the PDA screen size is small, the description of the data (in either
Simple syntax or XML Schema) is also likely to be small. The Simple Syntax
will mean fewer bytes need to be transported to the PDA and the PDA can
interpret it quicker, but how important are these, really? The UI to the PDA
will most likely contain icons etc. (users don't likely text-only UIs - ask
the millions of unhappy WAP customers!). Just one PNG file (10s of K in
size) means the size difference between Simple & Schema (100s of bytes) is
not important - and if transporting over TCP/IP (not always the case), the
packet size might mean the size difference is irrelevant.

>> Since XFORMs are intended for small screen devices ...

XForms are meant to be suitable for a very wide range of devices. Though
most of the initial focus has been on small screens - we should not forget
supporting the larger devices:
* 21" and larger monitor sizes
* High density monitors (many pixels per square inch - means icons,
  though suitable for normal displays, can be rendered too small)
* Multiple monitors per device (very common in trading rooms, etc.)
* Data beamers - suitable for large audiences

Is there anything XForms needs to consider for these (perhaps there is a
need for PP/CC here).

Eamon O'Tuathail
Clipcode.com

One interesting extract from http://www.clipcode.com/ooquotes.htm:
“The success of standards has always been inversely proportional to their
length”

Received on Thursday, 15 February 2001 07:30:37 UTC