Web Services Definition and XML

I wanted to discuss a specific aspect of Web Services definition on a
separate thread, particularly the use of XML.

If one takes a look at the charter of the Web Services Architecture group
[1], the word XML is the 4th word in the text.  The first 7 sentences
mention XML 7 times.  I'm counting as one the XML, XML Namespaces, and XML
Schema fragment.

Further, the 2nd goal is "The set of technologies identified must be based
on XML. ".
The 6th bulleted goal is "The framework proposed must support the kind of
extensibility actually seen on the Web: disparity of document formats and
protocols used to communicate, mixing of XML vocabularies using XML
namespaces, development of solutions in a distributed environment without a
central authority, etc. "...

The charter seems extremely clear that web services must be based upon XML.

Now I'm a person that leans towards sometimes re-interpreting charters, but
I draw the line in the sand on this one.  I believe that the Web Services
definition MUST make explicit reference to XML.  Perhaps the actual bits on
the wire don't have to be XML - like using SSL or GZIP - but the basis for
the inputs and outputs of the service sure have to be XML or a well
understood transformation.  I also include a packaging of XML into something
like MIME or DIME as being XML based.

Like I argued for URIs, I will also argue for XML in our definition.  This
is a show-stopper.

Cheers,
Dave
[1] http://www.w3.org/2002/01/ws-arch-charter

Received on Monday, 4 March 2002 18:24:17 UTC