- From: Jon Bosak <bosak@atlantic-83.Eng.Sun.COM>
- Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 09:30:43 -0800
- To: w3c-sgml-wg@w3.org
- CC: bosak@atlantic-83.Eng.Sun.COM
[Paul Prescod:] | > Objection 3: | > | > The names quot, amp, apos, lt, and gt are significantly easier to | > remember than the corresponding numeric forms. | > | > Response: | > | > Easier for people whose native language is other than English, | > i.e., most of humanity? I don't think so. | | For those who know HTML, or almost any SGML DTD, they are. Besides, it is a | false dichtomy: those more comfortable with numbers can use numbers. The number of people who are familiar with *anything* now is insignificant compared to the number of people who will be working with these languages five years from now. | > In return for not predefining character entities we get the following | > benefits: | > | > 1. Language neutrality. | | Overrated. What's the Japanese for "<!ELEMENT" and why did we choose not to | allow it? Why not redefine that to a number also? <!23 gi (#43)+> Apples and oranges. "<!ELEMENT" occurs n times per DTD; & occurs m times per instance. Remember that XML is designed primarily for delivery; the typical delivery scenario is one in which there is no DTD at all. Jon
Received on Thursday, 13 March 1997 12:30:42 UTC