Re: Notations

John Cowan (cowan@locke.ccil.org)
Fri, 11 Dec 1998 09:44:38 -0500


Michael Kay scripsit:

> > From: W. Eliot Kimber
> > Remember that notations do not affect the *parsing* of the data, only its
> > semantic interpretation.
>
> If that is so, I am back to square zero in my understanding of notations!
>
> For example, I thought that if I wanted to put MIDI data in an XML document,
> I would use notations to the indicate the fact. But I can't semantically
> interpret MIDI data (or even hear the music) before I've parsed it. The
> notation is surely there to tell me that it's MIDI, not that it's Vivaldi.

I think Eliot is referring to (X|SG)ML parsing: interpreting notations
is done at a level above XML parsing, and does not affect it.
One level's syntax is another level's semantics.

-- 
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)