An XML Roadmap (was Re: XS discussion begins)

> Jon Bosak wrote
 
> In the SGML ERB meeting of May 14, it was agreed that preliminary
> discussion of xml-style (Part 3 of the XML specification suite) should
> take place in parallel with our current task of finishing drafts of
> xml-lang and xml-link, but in a different forum in order to prevent
> that discussion from interfering with our deadlines for Parts 1 and 2.
 
Many issues extra to the ones raised in XML 1.0 are worth considering. 
Is there any will or interest in developing any of these after XML 1.0 is finalised?
I think some kind of vague roadmap might help us keep in focus. 

Here is my suggestion, if I may dare:


version       finalized      parts
==============================================================
XML 1.0     Dec, 1997    XML-lang, XML-link, XML-style
XML 1.5     Mar, 1998    XML-i18n (internationalisation), XML-access (ICADD), 
                                   XML-PICS, XML-DIGS
XML 2.0     Jun, 1998     XML-module (namespaces), XML-type (strong typing, lextype)
XML 2.5	     Sep, 1998	XML-l10n (document localisation), XML-font (glyph service), 
                                    XML-time (scheduling)
XML 3.0     Dec, 1998    XML-schema, XML-3D
==============================================================

XML 1.0 is therefore the base language, based on ISO 8879:1994 with Annex J and the WebSGML TC.

XML 1.5 adds several important but perhaps non-contraversial additions. They all are in
the area of broadening XML so that it is immediately suitable for foreigners, the disabled, 
children, and the insecure :-)   I hope XML will not leave these things till later: XML documents
are for "them" as well as "us".   

XML 2.0 would be the main thrust of the year's effort. It is to resolve the kinds of questions
raised by Andrew Layman.  It would be in tandem with the proposed ISO 8879 Namespace TC.

XML 2.5 is a catch up for some other pet issues that have been hanging around, but require more thought or build on previous
decisions: (Martin Bryan's) Multilingual suggestions as part of document localisation, (my & Gavin's)  font service, (HyTime's)
scheduling, and so on. If any are deemed important enough, or relevant to XML.

I have put the XML-schema discussions into XML 3.0, because it is a big issue, and I wouldn't
want XML 2.0 to be stalemated by it.  It is the kind of thing that also might be the catalyst of an
SGML TC (in the unlikely but possible event that the schema idea has some merit). Also, I 
think that deployment of XML 1 and 2 will bring out new ideas and a better perspective on 
schemas (let alone schematas :-).


Rick Jelliffe

Received on Tuesday, 3 June 1997 11:48:10 UTC