XLink 1999-12-20 WD: out-of-line links

The definition of "out-of-line link" provided in Terminology [1.3] seems to 
imply that multi-directional traversal may be defined only in the context 
of an out-of-line link.

However, use of the arc-type element (whose purpose is to define the 
direction of traversal) is not restricted to out-of-line extended links. 
Particularly, in [3.1.4], the following example is used:
	<xlink:arc />
The commentary preceding that example says: "If no arc-type elements are 
provided in an extended link, then by extension the missing from and to 
values are interpreted as standing for all the roles in that link." If I've 
read this correctly, the implication is that (to use the parent and child 
roles to which this example applies) the locators with a parent role point 
to the locators with a child role, AND the child locators point to the 
parent locators -- i.e., all links among the locators are multi-directional.

[As an aside: presumably, in this example, bi-directional links are 
established not only between every parent and every child, but also between 
every parent and every other parent, and between every child and every 
other child -- is that right?]

If I've read and understood both portions of the WD correctly, I think the 
definition of "out-of-line link" can simply be amended by removing the 
words "for supporting multidirectional traversal and."

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John E. Simpson            |  I spilled spot remover on my dog.
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http://www.flixml.org      |  (Stephen Wright)

Received on Wednesday, 19 January 2000 10:42:59 UTC