xml-dev - Namespace and Versioning

["Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@ingr.com>]

I need a bit of advice.  It is suggested in a document 
that I am reading that the namespace be used for versioning.  
If in SOAP, for example, "the <envelope> element has a different 
amespace, you have to discard the message with a version 
error.  As SOAP evolves, you'll probably be able to 
use different namespaces to indicate certain levels of 
specification conformance or message dialects." - VBPJ August 2000.

Is this the understanding others have of the use of 
namespaces for versioning?  I ask because a local 
is requesting a version attribute and I can't think 
of why not other than the namespace is then a 
continuum of definitions instead of a single, say, schema. 

How would you respond to that given the local is not 
deeply washed in things XML much less namespaces but 
can program to the metal?  Forgive me if this starts 
the "namespaces are evil" threads again, but some 
succinct, "intended to work like this" answers will 
be welcome.


Len Bullard
Intergraph Public Safety
clbullar@ingr.com
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~cbullard/lensongs.ram

Ekam sat.h, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti.
Daamyata. Datta. Dayadhvam.h