LC-46 (your comments on XML Schema last call draft)

Dear Mr. Ståldal:

The W3C XML Schema Working Group has spent the last several months
working through the comments received from the public on the last-call
draft of the XML Schema specification.  We thank you for the comments
you made on our specification during our last-call comment period, and
want to make sure you know that all comments received during the
last-call comment period have been recorded in our last-call issues
list (http://www.w3.org/2000/05/12-xml-schema-lcissues).

You are recorded as having raised the point registered as issue LC-46,
which suggests that the WG remove default values and other
information-set contributions from the XML Schema specification.
Others within the WG had raised similar concerns.

While some WG members have some sympathy for your concerns about the
result commingling of rules for validation with rules for adding to
the information structure of a document, it is the consensus of the WG
that we are required by our charter to provide the same expressive
power, for the creation of element information structures, as is
provided by DTDs.  And since, as you observe, DTDs already provide
facilities for defaulting attribute values, we believe that XML Schema
is required by our charter to do the same.  Accordingly, we see no
alternative to declining your proposal, with thanks.

It would be helpful to us to know whether you are satisfied with the
decision taken by the WG on this issue, or wish your dissent from the
WG's decision to be recorded for consideration by the Director.

With best wishes,

- C. M. Sperberg-McQueen
   Dave Hollander
   Co-chairs, W3C XML Schema WG

Received on Thursday, 21 September 2000 08:52:40 UTC