Re: [Minutes] 2 Dec 2002 TAG teleconference (New issues: XML subsetting, Binary XML, metadata in URIs)

Paul Grosso wrote:
> I certainly do not object to the TAG and/or AC recommending that
> certain topics such as this be added to the XML Core's list of
> active tasks.  In fact, I would hope that the XML Core WG is where
> it would be put (though I think the topic could benefit from more
> discussion first--I am not yet convinced that there is widespread
> agreement that it makes sense to subset XML).

I have also long been opposed to subsetting XML; those with a long 
memory may recall some fairly passionate debate on this subject in the 
early days of the old XML Syntax WG.  However, I think experience has 
taught us lots of things, of which two stick out in my mind:

1. Entities are way more trouble than they're worth in lots of 
applications, and
2. It's a mistake for XML to jump into bed with *any* schema language.

For these reasons I think subsetting out the DTD is long past due.  I 
think that "basic XML-in-practice" de facto includes namespaces, 
xml:base, and the infoset.  Thus XML-SW.  Note that all XML-SW docs are 
conforming XML 1.*, and that transforming XML 1.* processors to XML-SW 
processors would in every case involve substantial reduction and 
simplification, and no new code.

So I think there's a quick kill to be had here with significant benefit 
to the community (among other things, removing DTDs allows for a radical 
re-org of the XML spec with vastly increased readability).

*If* we could think of a way to deal with the process issues I think 
there is low-hanging fruit here for the Core WG to grasp.  Obviously 
what everyone worries about is 138 people piling into the Working Group, 
each with just one little feature they want added.  A carefully-chosen 
set of ground rules could maybe work around this, but creativity and 
dedication would be required.  -Tim

Received on Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:05:35 UTC