XML Schema WG Comments on Last Call Draft

These comments on the XInclude Last Call draft dated November 10, 2003
are on behalf of the XML Schema WG

The XML Schema WG congratulates the XML Core WG for the good work it has
done in producing the last call draft for XInclude.
We find this draft much improved over earlier versions.  We also note
that most of our comments on earlier versions have been 
addressed.  Consequently we have only minor comments on this version of
the draft.

1.  XInclude now works as an Infoset transformation.   If the
documents/fragments have been Schema validated the 
PSVI decorations are removed before the inclusion takes place and the
resulting Infosets have to be re-validated if so needed.
We find your description of the inclusion process under this constraint
consistent and correct but we are disappointed that
you did not choose to step up to the challenge of inclusions based on
PSVIs.

2.  In our comments on the last draft we said :
"(3) We consider it a mistake to erase all record that XInclude
processing has occurred. This damages the usability of this
specification for many applications, such as distributed editing,
document packaging, and so on."  Your reaction to this comment was to
point out that most of the Infoset properties were optional and
implementations
were free to maintain such information if they wished.  We would prefer
a better architected solution to this issue.

3. Section 5 discusses support for IRIs.  Since the IRI proposal is not
a recommendation yet, you say you expect to issue an erratum 
with possible changes when the IRI proposal becomes a recommendation.
This is reasonable.  But, it's is a pity that the
IRI support has to be handled in this manner.  Do you have a projected
date for the erratum? 

All the best, Ashok