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PaceReduceMustMay


Abstract

The RFC [RFC]2119 imperatives MUST, MUST NOT, MAY, and SHOULD are used extensively in the format and protocol drafts to describe XML content models, which is unnecessary.

Status

Open -- Editorial.

Author: KenMacLeod

Rationale

The XML element content models within the Atom Internet Drafts are part of the "basic specification" of the Atom format and protocol, like the use of ABNF (RFC [RFC]2234) in traditional RFCs. It is unnecessary to use requirements imperatives for the cardinality or markup syntax except "where it is actually required for interoperation" (RFC [RFC]2119, Sec. 6).

Example XML-based RFCs for comparison:

Proposal

  1. First pass: de-emphasize RFC2119 imperatives where used for content models or markup syntax.

  2. Second pass: rephrase for easier reading using a less formal tone.

Impacts

Editorial.

Notes


CategoryProposals