Re: SVG 1.2 WD - Usefulness of XML Schema

In a message dated 30/04/2003 09:18:02 GMT Daylight Time, chris@w3.org 
writes:


> Aac> I recall one W3C specification where the text was ambiguous (at
> Aac> least to me) but the XML Schema made the situation clear.
> 
> Yes. We did that in the past with DTD snippets, which are compact and
> unambiguous. However, DTDs are not namespace friendly, have limited
> expressive power, and become really verbose and unreadable when
> modularized.

The spec I was referring to wasn't an SVG one. I was trying to apply what I 
had found useful for other W3C specs to help the SVG WG in considering how to 
use W3C XML Schema.


> The snippets do omit some things, such as animation children.

I appreciate that this is a moving target. If there are omissions in what a 
schema snippet covers, a simple XML comment in the code stating that is fine. 
It avoids a reader being puzzled over a seeming inconsistency.

One of the most frustrating things for someone studying a W3C spec is for the 
WG to know that something has been missed out (and know that it will be added 
later) but not to express that. I have wasted hours in the past trying to 
cross-check seemingly (and actually) inconsistent pieces of information. No, 
I am not particularly thinking of the SVG WG - you guys are better than 
average on that.

At the moment I am not expecting completeness or accuracy (always) as the WG 
explores how best to do this ... but it would be nice. In a few months my 
expectations will rise. :)


> To clarify - would it be helpful to have the snippets as standalone
> files, or is it only when we have the full schema?

Personally, I would be happy to have snippets inline, as it were, until there 
was a sufficiently complete and correct version of the W3C XML Schema for SVG 
1.2 to justify a standalone document.

Incorrect or incomplete snippets will likely cause an external tool to choke, 
in some circumstances. So I don't see much advantage in standalone snippets. 
Snippets in the WD are adequate to help me learn.

Andrew Watt