W3C TAG members,
It seems typical that over time architecture groups start with broad
visions and then tend to become focused on more and more narrow issues. So with
all the accelerating innovations spawned by the Web is it time for a
revisiting of a broad vision ?
I suspect many might wish to answer yes to that question, but would
question how to proceed. Attached is a short paper that was written for a
slightly different purpose, but which tries to address the question from
perspectives of XML language and standards, from that of models and frameworks,
from that of integration of resources, data, services and uses, and ultimately
from the perspective of applications. In particular, the paper focuses
directly on basic architecture principles, identified by the W3C, as
orthogonality, extensibility, error handling and interoperability. In addition it
attempts at a basis for completeness as a framework for applications and
their development. It is much simpler in content and at a higher level than
the W3C recommendation on Web architecture from 2004 – and perhaps that is a
good thing.
So is it time for new foundations? And is this feasible ?
Perhaps these notes can useful for stimulating discussion within the group
and might be useful for soliciting formal sponsorship.
Thanks for your consideration.
Bill Clare