W3C Schema website intro

I wonder if it would be helpful to newcomers 
if the introduction to the W3C Schema website
were modified to explain the scope of W3C 
schema capabilities. For example, at the moment 
it is stated that: 

"They provide a means of defining the structure, 
content and semantics of XML documents".

I wrongly assumed, as I'm sure that most people 
would, that this meant 

"They provide a means of FULLY defining the structure, 
content and semantics of ALL XML documents". 
 
and planned a project based on this assumption, 
thus involving my employer in a lot of fruitless 
expenditure and me in a lot of mental anguish.

The statement could be rewritten more precisely
in several ways:


"They provide a means of defining the structure, 
content and semantics of SOME XML documents". 

or 

"They provide a means of PARTLY defining the 
structure, content and semantics of XML documents". 

or

"They provide a means of defining the structure, 
content and semantics of those XML documents whose 
structure, content and semantics they are able to define."

which is my personal favourite as it combines accuracy, 
circularity and the appropriate academic tone ;-)

Seriously though, this kind of statement is in danger 
of causing an Emperor's new clothes phenomenon 
which can only do damage to the W3C's reputation.

--
Gaz

Received on Monday, 3 December 2001 14:48:26 UTC