Re: Names beginning with "xml"

James Clark scripsit:

> Is a MicroXML document that
>
> - invents its own xml:foo attribute or
>
> - uses an existing xml:* attribute (say xml:space) in a way that
> does not conform to the relevant XML-family spec (eg it says
> xml:space="funky")
>
> ok as far as MicroXML is concerned?

As far as I'm concerned, yes to both.  However, the spec should have a
general warning that this or any other use of "xml" (case-insensitive)
at the beginning of a name, without a license from some other spec, is
treading on dangerous ground.

In particular, I think this also resolves the issue of xml-style and xml-model
PIs if we decided to have PIs.  We still must ban PIs whose target is "xml"
(case-insensitive), as they are not well-formed XML.

> If so that compatible with the fact that eg xml:space="funky" is an
> error according to XML 1.0?

I don't think it's a problem.  "Is an error" just means in general
that document authors shouldn't do it, and that the results are
unpredictable.  In the specific case of xml:space, parsers are allowed
to report an error (I know of none which do), or recover (as by dropping
the attribute or changing its value -- I know of none which do that,
either) and carry on.  Clearly, then, carrying on without doing anything
is implicitly licensed, which is a Good Thing because that's what
actually happens.

-- 
After fixing the Y2K bug in an application:     John Cowan
        WELCOME TO <censored>                   cowan@ccil.org
        DATE: MONDAK, JANUARK 1, 1900           http://www.ccil.org/~cowan

Received on Thursday, 16 August 2012 18:17:39 UTC