Re: XML Schema WG comments on Data Model

/ "C. M. Sperberg-McQueen" <cmsmcq@acm.org> was heard to say:
| Dear colleagues:
[...]
| 1.2. Derivation of simple types
|
|     Section 5 Atomic Values reads in part:
|
|       An XML Schema simple type [XMLSchema Part 2] may be primitive or
|       derived by restriction, list, or union.
|
|     We think it will help avoid confusion among users, implementors, and
|     (not least) discussion among Working Groups if you use XML Schema
|     terminology here. Perhaps:
|
|       An XML Schema simple type definition [XMLSchema Part 2] has a
|       [variety], which may be atomic, list or union. If [variety] is
|       atomic, the type definition may be primitive or derived by
|       restriction.
|
|     The XML Schema WG wishes to de-emphasize the use of the term "derived
|     by" in XML Schema Part 2 in describing union and list contruction. The
|     term "derived by" is used only colloquially there and is unfortunately
|     confused with derivation in the proper sense (i.e. restriction and
|     extension). All non-primitive simple types are derived by restriction.
|     List types may be restrictions of xs:anySimpleType or other lists.
|     Similarly for union types. Please don't propagate the confusion we
|     created.
|     [We are aware that it would be useful to have a simple term other than
|     derivation to describe the relation between a list type and its item
|     type, or that between a union type and its member types; we need it as
|     much as you do. Suggestions are welcome.]

The discussion of types has been extensively redrafted for the 23 July
2004 WD[1] to address this and other comments. We believe that the
revised text addresses your concerns. Please let us know if you agree
or disagree.

                                        Be seeing you,
                                          norm

[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/WD-xpath-datamodel-20040723/

-- 
Norman.Walsh@Sun.COM / XML Standards Architect / Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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