[Bug 5476] xsi:schemaLocation should be a hint, should be MAY not SHOULD

http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=5476

           Summary: xsi:schemaLocation should be a hint, should be MAY not
                    SHOULD
           Product: XML Schema
           Version: 1.0/1.1 both
          Platform: Macintosh
        OS/Version: All
            Status: NEW
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: Structures: XSD Part 1
        AssignedTo: cmsmcq@w3.org
        ReportedBy: cmsmcq@w3.org
         QAContact: www-xml-schema-comments@w3.org


Section 4.3.2 of the spec reads (and in essentials has read since
XSD 1.0):

    Unless directed otherwise, for example by the invoking 
    application or by command line option, processors should
    attempt to dereference each schema document location URI 
    in the ·actual value· of such xsi:schemaLocation and 
    xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation [attributes]

We have long accepted the principle that the choice of schema
for validation should lie with the entity requesting the
validation, not with the author (when the two are distinct).  This
wording tends to undercut that principle and should be changed.

For SHOULD, read MAY.  Indeed, so cumbersome have I found this
convention in practice that I'm tempted to say SHOULD NOT.

Received on Wednesday, 13 February 2008 03:24:24 UTC