Internal discrepancy in section 17 of HTML 4.0 spec

In the HTML 4.0 specification, subsection 17.13.3, under
"Step four: Submit the encoded form data set"
defines required support in two cases, both specifically using
an ACTION attribute which is a HTTP URI, then says:
"For any other value of action or method, behavior is unspecified." 

This logically implies, in particular, that behavior is unspecified
when a form with ACTION="mailto:..." is submitted.

On the other hand, at the end of section 17.3 there is the following:
QUOTE
The next example shows how to send a submitted form to an email address: 

 <FORM action="mailto:Kligor.T@gee.whiz.com" method="post">
 ...form contents...
 </FORM>
UNQUOTE 

Thus, the specification provides an example of usage for which it
says that the behavior is unspecified.

Suggested alternative corrections:
1. Delete the example.
2. Change the introductory text associated with the example
   so that it complies with the specification and does not make
   claims on behavior which is not required, e.g.
"The next example uses an action attribute with a mailto: URI,
which is processed by some user agents so that the form content
is sent by email to the specified address:"

Alternative 1 would be the logically and practically sound choice. 

Yucca, http://www.hut.fi/u/jkorpela/

Received on Thursday, 26 November 1998 05:19:21 UTC