- From: Ozob the Great <ozob1337@gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:01:59 -0400
On Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 3:07 PM, Andrew Sidwell <andi at takkaria.org> wrote: > Ozob the Great wrote: > >> Sorry, mail client trouble. Here is the complete message. >> >> On Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 6:29 AM, Henri Sivonen <hsivonen at iki.fi <mailto: >> hsivonen at iki.fi>> wrote: >> >> The use cases for <var> probably aren't strong enough to warrant its >> addition to HTML at this stage if it hadn't been in HTML >> already--you might as well use <i>. However, given that <var> has >> already been in HTML for a long time, it probably isn't harmful >> enough to make it non-conforming. Actually, its main harm is the >> opportunity cost of the debates about when it's appropriate to use >> it. :-/ >> >> >> I agree making <var> non-conforming is inappropriate. >> >> Let me make a specific and concrete proposal. 4.6.14 should be changed to >> read as follows: >> >> The var element represents a variable. This could be an actual variable in >> a programming context, or it could be a term used as a placeholder in prose. >> Use of var in a mathematical context is deprecated in favor of MathML >> content markup. >> > > What benefit does that bring to anyone, if all they want to do is to mark > up a mathematical variable very simply in text? Also, what does deprecated > mean here? --it's certainly at no risk of being removed in the future. > I think the usage you're considering is the "placeholder in prose" situation. As an example of this, the spec currently gives: "<p>If there are <var>n</var> pipes leading to the ice cream factory, then I expect at <em>least</em> <var>n</var> flavours of ice cream to be available for purchase!</p>" Is this what you're thinking of, or did you have some other use in mind? As far as "deprecated", the OED tells me that it means, "To plead earnestly against; to express an earnest wish against (a proceeding); to express earnest disapproval of (a course, plan, purpose, etc.)." So saying that <var> is deprecated in a mathematical context means that its use for mathematics is discouraged. (The OED also tells me that historically, "deprecate" meant "to pray against evil", but that's not the meaning I intend here!) > If anything, it would be more helpful for the text to be "If you wish to > mark up complex mathematical content, then MathML is more suitable than the > var element.". I think you're asking to have 4.6.14 say: The var element represents a variable. This could be an actual variable in a programming context, or it could be a term used as a placeholder in prose. If you wish to mark up complex mathematical content, then MathML is more suitable than the var element. Is that right? -- Ozob -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.whatwg.org/pipermail/whatwg-whatwg.org/attachments/20080921/eb03445f/attachment.htm>
Received on Sunday, 21 September 2008 13:01:59 UTC