Hi Folks,
Consider this XML:
<Book binding="hardcover">
<Title>Software Abstractions</Title>
<Author>Daniel Jackson</Author>
</Book>
I often hear people say that attributes are metadata. For example, @binding is metadata.
David Carlisle likes to remind me that there is nothing in the XML specification which says that attributes are metadata. In fact, the XML specification does not even use the word "metadata."
So when I hear people talking about attributes being metadata, I channel David Carlisle and tell them that attributes are not metadata.
But I'm thinking this is a lost cause. The belief that attributes are metadata is too widespread.
Besides, what difference does it make if people think that attributes are metadata? Can you give me a concrete, practical example showing where bad things happen because someone thought that attributes are metadata?
/Roger
____________________________________________________________ ___________
XML-DEV is a publicly archived, unmoderated list hosted by OASIS
to support XML implementation and development. To minimize
spam in the archives, you must subscribe before posting.
[Un]Subscribe/change address: http://www.oasis-open.org/mlmanage/
Or unsubscribe: xml-dev-unsubscribe@lists.xml.org
subscribe: xml-dev-subscribe@lists.xml.org
List archive: http://lists.xml.org/archives/xml-dev/
List Guidelines: http://www.oasis-open.org/maillists/guidelines.php