Syntax pattern

[Ken MacLeod <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I added the following to the Introduction in the Syntax document,
under "Schema Patterns":

> The syntax follows certain repeating patterns:
> 
> * "Entity" elements form the "top-level" elements, which can
>   sometimes be contained in other entity elements.  Examples of
>   Atom entities would be <site>, <feed>, <entry>, <person>, and
>   <archive> (complete set to be determined).
> 
> * "Property" elements are direct children of their entity
>   elements.  Examples of property elements would be <title>,
>   <summary>, <link>, <content>, etc.
> 
> * Property and entity elements are all fully qualified, either
>   in the core Atom namespace or an extension namespace.  Examples
>   usually show elements in the Atom namespace using a default
>   namespace on the root entity element.
> 
> * <content> and content-like elements (title, subtitle, and
>   summary) have an associated a MIME type, mode of encoding,
>   language, and either a value inline or through a URI
>   reference.  A <content> element may have a relation that
>   indicates whether the content is an excerpt, preview, thumbnail,
>   or otherwise not the entire content.

I thought it would be a good inaugural message to the list, to start
with a general discussion as to the style or pattern to the schema
rather than jumping straight to individual element-content models.

As always, these are not cast in stone.  There is still discussion in
EscapedHtmlContent about what <content> may hold (is it limited to
just *ML, or should *ML types be special-cased).  There is discussion
in ContentProblems regarding the distinction between whole and partial
entities.  ContentDiscussion appears to have a simple majority
preferring only one <content>, but current examples are
multiple-contents with an undefined model for selecting a
representation.  The utility of <content src='...'> appears to be in
question, but if it is useful, is a MIME multipart wrapper not far
behind (a la SOAP with Attachments)?

Since the decision was made to specify model and syntax in one
document (SyntaxConsiderations), I presume this list covers both?

  -- Ken