xml-dev - White space

[Peter Jones <peterj@wrox.com>]

I have read the XML 1 spec concerning whitespace, but this seems to
contain a logical contradiction. Viz:
"An XML processor must always pass all characters in a document that are
not markup through to the application. A validating XML processor must
also inform the application which of these characters constitute
whitespace appearing in element content. ...
xml:space...attached to an element to signal an intention that in that
element, white space should be preserved by applications. In valid
documents, this attribute, like any other must be declared if it is
used...
The value "default" signals that applications' default white space
processing modes are acceptable for this element..."

This is then opposed to the value "preserve" which preserves whitespace
for the element. Which suggests that the default processing is
normalization of whitespace.

But according to the first line above, the default XML processing is
preservation of whitespace. So what is the default mode of the
processor?
Preserve or not?


Peter Jones
WebDev Technical Editor
Wrox Press
mailto:peterj@wrox.com
***************
Wrox Press UK Ltd.
http://www.wrox.co.uk
Tel 44 121 706 6826
Fax 44 121 706 2967





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