XMLP/SOAP spec - processing instructions

The XMPL/SOAP spec (as well as the SOAP 1.1 spec) specifically
prohibits XML processing instructions (sec 3, para 4). I take 
this to mean that the XML prolog (<?xml ... ?>)is prohibited.

Questions: 
1. What is the rational for this? Can anyone (maybe Henrik or 
Noah) shed any light on the historical context for this?  
2. Can we relax this prohibition in our spec and allow an 
XML prolog? As long as it is optional I don't think it would
break any existing applications.

Comments:

It seems like it might be useful to convey the XML version
level (particularly after versions 2.0 and 3.0 come out).

Also, the prolog can convey the character encoding. This may
be useful in some situations. I realize that HTTP can carry 
the encoding in the "Content-Type" header, but other bindings 
may not have a convenient way to convey this information. 

  Randy Waldrop
  webMethods, Inc.

Received on Monday, 21 May 2001 11:21:12 UTC