RE: [Minutes] 6-7 Feb 2003 TAG ftf meeting

Re Section 3.4:  

"PC: Main reason to use XML is neutral format for interoperability 
[Chris] 
xml gives interop 
major reason "

This is a difficult concept without some definition of interoperability.
As stated, it is a bit too breezy for an architecture document.  We've 
had problems with the term "interoperability" since the CALS usage of 
it for SGML.  It tends to imply that moving XML among systems is 
sufficient to enable them to interoperate at the semantic level, 
that is, blindly.  This is not the case.

XML ensures portability of data.
Portable data enables interoperability.

Systems interoperate.  By definition, networked systems require selectors 
to choose among equally probable options.  XML cannot in and 
of itself, being a syntax, enable interoperability.  More is 
required.  I'm not sure how one goes about saying what that 
more is, except to relate it to the protocol verbs and interpretation 
of the content of an XML document.

len