Comment on Dispostion of Names: Changing/Removing Names

The Disposition of Names in an XML Namespace
(http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/WD-namespaceState-20060329/) takes the position
that adding names to a namespace can be sound  practice, citing the example
of adding xml:id. Presumably removing obsolete names from a namespace can be
a sound practice as well. What is the position of the TAG on changing the
definition of a name in a namespace (i.e. publishing a document which gives
a new and different meaning to a name previously defined in the namespace)?
Can this be sound practice too? If so, shouldn't the WD mention that
removing/changing names can be sound too, since mentioning only addition
seems to suggest this is the only sound practice. If changing names is never
sound, shouldn't this be mentioned either? 

As a side comment: the wording of the Good Practice is slightly ambigious.
It says: "Specifications that define namespaces SHOULD explicitly state
their policy with respect to *changes in the names* ". "Changes in the
names" could either mean a change in a single name, or changes to the
collection of names (i.e. additions). Since the remainder of the document
only mentions additions, presumably the second reading is intended.

Regards,

Marc de Graauw

Received on Thursday, 8 June 2006 13:54:39 UTC