EARL is a generic machine-readable language for storing evaluation report data, such as that collected in accessibility, validation, and usability tests. Because it is machine-friendly, it is easier to combine reports, run statistical analyses on them, filter for the most appropriate information, and publish for other people to use. It can be used on the Web and off, and is built on established W3C technologies such as XML and RDF.
The language is being developed by the W3C WAI Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group. The Working Group is currently working towards version 1.0 of EARL, although the current version is 0.95. 0.95 is is a stable test version, albeit with a few bugs; it can be deployed with care (see recommandations below).
The main resource is the EARL 1.0 ERT Working Draft, which is being gradually updated as issues are resolved. As for other peripherally related resources, try:-
If you want to track the issues, and perhaps help us to resolve them, you are most welcome. Try the EARL Issues Database and w3c-wai-er-ig mailing list archives for more details.
Often, the best way to learn a new language is by copying examples and augmenting them. With that in mind, we've produced a quick EARL 0.95 by example page to get you started.
There is a more explicit enumeration at EARL#implementations from which this list was derived.
People whom have substantially contributed to the development of EARL include:-
For more information: EARL background.
Comments are most welcome; please send any questions and comments about the content of this document to the ERT mailing list at w3c-wai-er-ig@w3.org (public archive).
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