Too Strict Content Model for abstract?

[Thomas Schraitle <tom_schr@web.de>]

Hi,

currently, I've experienced some issues with the abstract element and
I'm wondering why it allows para elements only.

According to the reference documentation of DocBook 4 and 5 [see 1,2],
abstract is definied like this:

  abstract ::= (title?, (formalpara|para|simpara)+)

Well, for a short summary with only text, this is probably fine.
However, sometimes it is not enough.

Let's assume, you have written a nice tutorial or howto and have the
following summary in mind:

   In this chapter we learn:
   * how to download the xyz tool
   * how to configure and compile xyz
   * how to install xyz on your computer

With the current content modell, you can't do this:

  <info>
    <abstract>
      <para>In this chapter we learn:</para>
      <itemizedlist>
        <listitem>
           <para>how to download the xyz tool</para>
        </listitem>
        <listitem>
           <para>how to configure and compile xyz</para>
        </listitem>
        <listitem>
           <para>how to install xyz on your computer</para>
        </listitem>
      </itemizedlist>
    </abstract>
  </info>

So I'm wondering why abstract disallows block elements as its children.
There are probably other examples where abstract is too strict.

Historical reasons? Could/should we change that?


------
[1] http://www.docbook.org/tdg/en/html/abstract.html
[2] http://www.docbook.org/tdg51/en/html/abstract.html

-- 
Gruß/Regards,
    Thomas Schraitle