The edge of chaos: where syntax ends and interpretation begins

["Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>]

Hi Folks,

Edge of Chaos: a region between order and either complete randomness or chaos
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Norman Gray wrote:

    That application has almost complete freedom to 
    decide what the meaning of those bits of information is.

Can different meanings be given to the same XML?

Is it necessary for all who consume an XML document to interpret it the same way? 

Is a uniform, global interpretation possible?

Is a uniform, global interpretation desirable?

Consider the creation of an XML document:

      The creator sends out the XML document. Consumers receive it. 
      What responsibility does the creator have in ensuring that the 
      consumers interpret the XML in the way that the creator intended?

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XML = order

Interpreting by applications = randomness or chaos


/Roger