xml-dev - Re: simple DTD question

[Michael Smith <smith@xml-doc.org>]

Michael Fitzgerald <mike@wyeast.net> writes:

> Given the declaration:
> 
> <!ATTLIST el-name at-name (val-name) #IMPLIED>
> 
> is val-name the default of at-name? It is a shortened version of:
> 
> <!ATTLIST el-name at-name (val-name) "val-name">

No, the default is #IMPLIED, not val-name.

As a user mainly of document-oriented apps, I find it sometimes helps
me to think of such things in terms of editing-application behavior.

I believe the way a validating editor would deal with the example you
give above is this: If you insert el-name into a document using the
editor, for the start tag it should automatically insert only:

  <el-name>

On the other hand, if you choose to insert the (optional) attribute,
at-name, the editor should not give you any choices for the value, nor
prompt you to type one in. Instead, it should automatically insert:

  <el-name at-name="val-name">

That is, it should automatically fill in the literal "val-name".

So those -- <el-name> and <el-name at-name="val-name"> -- are the only
valid instances of the start tag that your declaration above permits,
and the only instances a validating editor should be able to produce.


  --Mike Smith

-- 
Michael Smith          mailto:smith@xml-doc.org
XML-Doc                http://www.xml-doc.org/