Elements versus Attributes

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Bonjour,

I take advantage of the ongoing topics discussion to start another
thread I wanted to start for a long time, it might help too.

When designing an XML grammar, an obvious rule seem to use different
element names if they have different content models. Attributes can be
used to further specialize elements.

However DocBook goes beyond this: the example of admonitions is
striking: 5 elements (db.caution | db.important | db.note | db.tip |
db.warning) with exact same content model.[1]

I wonder why not using a class or type attribute (what's the difference
between these btw?).

In short, is there a document somewhere that explains, even quickly, the
designing principles behind DocBook?

Before closing that message let me make something clear: I think Norm
and all the DocBook team is doing a remarkable work, I realize I perhaps
never thank you. All that to say I don't mean to sound criticizing, just
wish to bring my stone to the building.

Camille.

[1] For this specific example I'd suggest to use <note
type="caution|important|tip|warning"> or something like that.
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