DAP4: DAP4 XML

XML Use in DAP4

We have agreed to use some form of XML to represent the DXD metadata and the capabilities document(s). I would like to make some proposals about the "kind" of XML we use.

First, note that our XML is not intended to be a stand-alone document. It exists in a very specific context and for a specific purpose. This means that we are not obliged to adhere to any existing XML document "standards".

I believe the rule that should guide our use of XML is to be as simple as possible and no simpler (to paraphrase Einstein).

Specifically, this means:

1. no DOCTYPE declarations
2. no XML declaration
3. no namespace declarations.

None of this is necessary because it can all be inferred from the context.

Further, I propose that we avoid the use of other kinds of cruft such as xlinks. They provide more structure than is needed for DAP4 and slow up parsing.

- Dennis Heimbigner