Re: URIs for "xml" and "xmlns" prefixes?

James Clark wrote:
> 
> David Brownell wrote:
> >
> > The namespace spec states that there are two "implicitly declared"
> > namespace prefixes, "xml" and "xmlns".  But it doesn't give their
> > associated URIs, as needed for uniformity within implementations.
> 
> I don't see a need for a URI for "xmlns".  Names with the "xmlns"
> prefix  are never seen by applications.

That's not in the current spec.  How will applications know where the
namespaces are declared, if not through this (IMHO) natural model?
Or you assuming that preserving the declaration structure of source
data is not a goal?

I note that the XSL draft includes a requirement that applications be
able to see the list of namespace prefixes that are "in scope".  (2.4.2)
Looks like some API-like requirements are bubbling up; I don't think they
would naturally belong in this document.


> We know we need a URI for "xml".

Good ...


> The intention on "xmlns" is that's it's a keyword.

That might simplify some things.  Like supporting default namespace
declarations.

But -- just "xmlns", and not "xml"?  So it'd be allowable to say
"xmlns:xml='http://www.example.com'" and thus change the meaning
of an "xml:space" or "xml:lang" attribute?

- Dave