Re: Issue-57

On 6/23/11 4:08 PM, Xiaoshu Wang wrote:
> The original purpose of httpRange-14, I guess, is to avoid ambiguity. But
> ambiguity can only be cleared with more ontological assertions.
> httpRange-14 has raised more confusion/debate. Except transferring
> ambiguity to a different term, what problem it has solved?
Let me try:

Ambiguity sources:

1. eradication of URL from lexicon such that we only speak of URIs since 
a URL is subClassOf URI
2. use of HTTP URIs as Names that may or may not resolve.

Problems:

The items above adds obscurity to an already obscure subject because 
end-users and developers are familiar with URLs and how they function as 
Resource Locators (Addresses). Thus, doing a two-fer that equates to:

1. using URLs as generic Names;
2. taking URL out of lexicon,

results in the quandary that http-range-14 is attempting to address.

Flip this all around, and the quandary remains. Again, let do another 
two-fer:

1. using URIs (URL out of lexicon) as generic Names;
2. using URIs as Resource Locators ,

same difference as per earlier comment. Simply stating that 200 OK 
implies a document doesn't deliver clarity.

A suggestion, that I think could really help.

AWWW fundamental goal:  Objects have Names and Representation Addresses. 
Names and Addresses imply specific functionality. An Object Name 
Identifies an Object while an Object Address is how you access its 
Representation. Basically, you have a Name & Access functionality combined.

HTTP uses 200 OK to basically confirm that an Address is functional with 
regards to user agent access to a given Resource. It is also safe to 
assume and infer that 200 OK is also a way of stating that:

1. a URI Names and Address
2. a URI is of type URL (so this is a specific type of URI, the kind 
that combines Name and Address/Access functionality)
3. a URI that resolves directly to a Resource (data).

HTTP uses 303 (in particular) to confirm that a URI isn't an Address (if 
it was it would 200 OK). Thus, if it isn't an Address it is a generic 
Name. Basically, 303 delivers good old indirection functionality, and 
via this functionality you can use URIs as Names that resolve to 
specific Resources via > 1 level of indirection.

What's this really about, ultimately? Reasserting the fact that you can 
use URIs for generic Names or Addresses (Resource Locators). To the Web 
end-user and Developer, it means you can use hyperlinks for the following:

1. Naming Things
2. Locating Resources
3. Naming Things in such a way that Names resolve to Resource(s) bearing 
(carrying) representation(s) of their referents.

I hope this helps. I've never found this matter confusing, but I've 
always struggled with http-range-14 narratives based on the fact that 
its doesn't provide anecdotes that resonate with its target audience -- 
Web developers or end-users.

-- 

Regards,

Kingsley Idehen	
President&  CEO
OpenLink Software
Web: http://www.openlinksw.com
Weblog: http://www.openlinksw.com/blog/~kidehen
Twitter/Identi.ca: kidehen

Received on Thursday, 23 June 2011 21:41:41 UTC