RE: Subset Data Model

From: Uche Ogbuji [mailto:uche@ogbuji.net] 

I think there hasn't really been any dispute that uXML should be a syntactical subset of XML
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I am disputing it right now.   If the agreement is that there is no statement whatsoever of the compatibility of the data models.  What is the argument *for* a compatibility  of syntax ?  What does it buy us ?  What is the reasons for or against ?

Against:  It is confusing to the user to have something that 'looks like' XML and is 'from the XML Community' but 'is NOT  XML' and can only be used with a set of XML tools by nearly coincidence with no guarantee as to applicability.

For: We all like those <brackets>


Seriously ... what is the argument FOR compatibility with XML.
I don't buy the "Non namespace aware parsers might be able to read it" ... when's the last time you really used such a thing and if the audience is for those who don't know about XML enough to use it right they are also the same audience that can't tell a namespace aware parser from an XSLT processor.

I don't mean to be confrontational, but I do mean to be disruptive.   I honestly have not understood the underlying rationale ...  and if I can't ... how are we to convince the intended audience that  their life will be easier somehow with a syntax that "looks like XML" but isn't, and has a slim chance of actually being usable in existing tools without a laundry list of "but beware of this ... and Only use That ... "   and "You should know that wont work in XXX"   ... The problems uXML seems to be creating in my mind are bigger than the ones its intends to solve.   Unless we create a whole new toolchain of uXML tools ... and if so why the compatibility with XML so important ?


I'll stop now ... perhaps this argument is completely meaningless to everyone else.

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David Lee
Lead Engineer
MarkLogic Corporation
dlee@marklogic.com
Phone: +1 650-287-2531
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Received on Monday, 13 August 2012 19:39:30 UTC