[Glossary] Deprecated, Deprecation, Deprecate / Obsolete

Hi,

We don't have a definition in the "QA glossary" [1] for Deprecate and  
Obsolete
The "HTML 4.01" [2] Specification has the most complete definition of  
them, I think.

Lynne has given for "addition to the QA glossary" [3]:

=======
* Deprecated Feature
An existing feature that has become outdated by a newer construct and  
is no longer viable.
* Obsolete
Feature that is no longer defined in the specification.
=======

What do we mean by viable. HTML 4.01 says that the developer should  
support it, which is very dependent on the class of product

For Obsolete, I would say:
Feature from a previous version of the technology which is no longer  
defined in the speficiation.



* Do we agree with the definition there?
* We definitely have to define a short definition for the QA Glossary,  
which will be more general.
* Do we create specific topic on the wiki for it?



Quick understanding:

Deprecated:
	* New feature exists that covers the old feature
	* Should not be used anymore by producer tools.
	* Must be supported by consumer tools.

Use case scenarios with techno FooML 1.0 to FooML 2.0

					  read				 save
	A Doc FooML 1.0 ------->  Producer  -------> Doc FooML ?
	B Doc FooML 1.0 ------->  Reader

What's happening?
	- in the cases A and B
	- for obsolete and for deprecated?
	- With Producer/Reader supporting and/or not 1.0/2.0




------------------------------------------------
* "Deprecated" [3]

A deprecated element or attribute is one that has been outdated by  
newer constructs. Deprecated elements are defined in the reference  
manual in appropriate locations, but are clearly marked as deprecated.  
Deprecated elements may become obsolete in future versions of HTML.

  User agents should continue to support deprecated elements for reasons  
of backward compatibility.

Definitions of elements and attributes clearly indicate which are  
deprecated.

This specification includes examples that illustrate how to avoid using  
deprecated elements. In most cases these depend on user agent support  
for style sheets. In general, authors should use style sheets to  
achieve stylistic and formatting effects rather than HTML  
presentational attributes. HTML presentational attributes have been  
deprecated when style sheet alternatives exist (see, for example,  
[CSS1]).
------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------
* "Obsolete" [4]

An obsolete element or attribute is one for which there is no guarantee  
of support by a user agent. Obsolete elements are no longer defined in  
the specification, but are listed for historical purposes in the  
changes section of the reference manual.
------------------------------------------------


[1] http://www.w3.org/QA/glossary
[2] http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/
[3]  
http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/conform.html#deprecated
[4] http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/conform.html#obsolete
[5]  
http://www.w3.org/mid/ 
5.1.0.14.2.20040628080853.01e7bbc0@mailserver.nist.gov



-- 
Karl Dubost - http://www.w3.org/People/karl/
W3C Conformance Manager
*** Be Strict To Be Cool ***