[Bug 5306] SML-IF header information

http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=5306

           Summary: SML-IF header information
           Product: SML
           Version: LC
          Platform: PC
        OS/Version: All
            Status: NEW
          Keywords: needsAgreement
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: Interchange Format
        AssignedTo: cmsmcq@w3.org
        ReportedBy: kumarp@microsoft.com
         QAContact: public-sml@w3.org


In the conf call on Thu 12/6/07, some WG member expressed interest in the
possibility of adding additional information in the SML-IF header. This
information would encode salient aspects of the contents of an SML-IF file.

Such information could include:
1. Schema complete
2. Ref schemes used
3. Level of compliance
4. SML-IF version
5. etc.

This can help a consumer find info about an SML-IF file without actually
reading the subsequent content.

If we decide to add this header information, we may want to consider the
following aspects:
1. Is this a strong guarantee? That is, for example, if the header says the
file contains only FOO ref scheme. Is a consumer guaranteed this as a fact? If
yes, how does one verify the guarantee? If not, does a mismatch make an SML-IF
file invalid?
2. Is a consumer allowed to ignore the header and look at the content anyway?
3. What scenarios are served by this?
4. What scenarios cannot be met if we decide to not do this?
5. What pieces of information are a must-have in the header (for meeting
scenarios in #3)? What info is optional?

Received on Friday, 7 December 2007 07:28:45 UTC