Re: SOAP's prohibiting use of XML internal subset

> The issue is the other way around. If a spec specifically forbids some
XML
> feature, you won't be able to use a conforming XML parser (unless it's
> configurable to switch off that feature, or it reliably reports that
this
> feature was used).
>
> At some point of time the spec *required* usage of the XML declaration
(that
> is, implementations MUST reject XML request bodies without XML
declaration).
> In practice, as XML processors are not required to report the XML decl
to
> the application, how are you supposed to come up with a conforming
> application?

It depends on the wording of the specification; if it says "SOAP receivers
MUST reject/fault/whatever upon encountering mechanism foo", then yes, it
would be impossible. However, if it just says "SOAP messages MUST NOT
contain mechanism foo", then it is perfectly possible to build a
conforming processor.

Based on the principle of being liberal in what you accept, strict in what
you emit (also from the IETF ;), I'd say the latter language is preferable
(I don't recall what the language is in SOAP1.2, but I'd hope it goes that
way...)

Cheers,

Received on Monday, 25 November 2002 17:34:48 UTC