Unique ids in MusicXML 3.1 and beyond

Hi all,

The sample MusicXML files use ids for cross-referencing items in the file - eg parts "P1" and instruments "P1-I3".

In my application I am labelling every editable item in the file (notes, notations, directions etc) with a globally unique integer id so that file edits can be recorded and replayed, allowing users to share musical annotations

If we are looking for interoperability such that one program can read another program's integer ids we will need a standard way to convert between string and integer (ie defining a prefix and integer base), bearing in mind that it is mandated by the standard for (https://www.w3.org/TR/xml-id/) that the xml:id must start with a non-numeric character.  I propose the prefix "uid" followed by a hex integer eg "uid9ab".

It is not immediately obvious that 2 programs developed in isolation will need to access each other's uids in most cases, but it is not unimaginable that certain applications will find a use for this interoperation.

Does the group have any view on this?

with best regards
James Sutton
Dolphin Computing
http://www.dolphin-com.co.uk <http://www.dolphin-com.co.uk/>
http://www.seescore.co.uk <http://www.dolphin-com.co.uk/>
http://www.playscore.co <http://www.dolphin-com.co.uk/>