[Zope-dev] stacks != easy to explain

Don Hopkins xardox@mindspring.com
Thu, 16 May 2002 07:32:05 -0700


From: "Steve Alexander" <steve@cat-box.net>
Subject: Re: [Zope-dev] stacks != easy to explain


> > If you're using ordered attributes, then you're not using XML.
>
> Indeed, and if your indentation is meaningful in your C source-code,
> you're not using C.
>
> However, that doesn't negate the benefit of a consistent coding style.

Indentation style and the definition of XML are two different things.
The XML spec clearly states that attributes are defined as unordered.
So any XML editors or tool might rightfully reorder those attributes, thus
mangling the meaning of any so-called XML code that depends on attribute
order.
Any so-called XML tool that depends on the order of attributes incorrect,
and has a fundamental design flaw because it deviates from the agreed-upon
standard.
Just as any so-called C compiler that depends on indentation style is
incorrect.

    -Don

Reference:

http://www.w3.org/TR/xml-infoset/

XML Information Set
W3C Recommendation 24 October 2001
2. Information Items
2.2. Element Information Items
An element information item has the following properties:
  5. [attributes] An unordered set of attribute information items, one for
each of the attributes (specified or defaulted from the DTD) of this
element. Namespace declarations do not appear in this set. If the element
has no attributes, this set has no members.