Re: Processing instructions (was XSchema: Sections 5.0 and 5.1)

John Cowan (cowan@locke.ccil.org)
Fri, 25 Sep 1998 11:10:20 -0400


Michael Kay scripsit:

> I'm designing a document type. Is there any circumstance
> when you would advise me to use a Processing Instruction
> rather than an empty element with attributes? I can't think
> of one myself, but I'm sure the XML designers must have had
> something in mind.

Probably not.

PIs are extremely useful when adding information to documents with
frozen DTDs. For example, the proposed "xml:stylesheet" PI allows you
to attach a stylesheet to any XML document without having to
tamper with the document's DTD (as by adding a STYLE element
or attribute).

I can't see designing a new document type and using PIs, though.
As you say, elements or attributes do the work.

-- 
John Cowan	http://www.ccil.org/~cowan		cowan@ccil.org
	You tollerday donsk?  N.  You tolkatiff scowegian?  Nn.
	You spigotty anglease?  Nnn.  You phonio saxo?  Nnnn.
		Clear all so!  'Tis a Jute.... (Finnegans Wake 16.5)