XOM API for Processing XML with Java

[Elliotte Harold <elharo AT metalab.unc.edu>]

Michael Kay wrote:

> Using namespace prefixes in content is a very natural thing to do: if they
> make sense in names, then they make sense in content, because if objects are
> identified by QNames then you want to use those QNames within your content
> to refer to those objects. 

And that's the critical mistake. Objects are not identified by QNames. 
They are identified by URI-local name pairs. QNames are simply one 
possible abbreviation for the URI-local name pairs, and not an 
especially robust one.

Namespaces in XML says, "Note that the prefix functions only as a 
placeholder for a namespace name. Applications should use the namespace 
name, not the prefix, in constructing names whose scope extends beyond 
the containing document."

Frankly I don't think that's string enough. I'd prefer it to say that 
Applications should use the namespace name, not the prefix, in 
constructing names whose scope extends beyond the containing *element*.

However it's pretty clear that if you're taking something out of one 
document and putting it in another, then you really shouldn't be 
depending on QNames if you can possibly help it.

--
Elliotte Rusty Harold  elharo AT metalab.unc.edu
XML in a Nutshell 3rd Edition Just Published!
http://www.cafeconleche.org/books/xian3/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0596007647/cafeaulaitA/ref=nosim