Re: [docbook] Re: Policy on backwards incompatible changes

[Dave Pawson <davep@dpawson.co.uk>]

Justus-bulk@Piater.name wrote:
> Are backwards-incompatible changes really that destructive? Nobody
> forces anyone to upgrade their documents. One can easily install
> multiple versions of DocBook schemas in parallel. In contrast,
> maintaining multiple versions of stylesheets (to customize) is a pain.

Agreed, if you do it knowingly.
It's doing it without realising that *can* be a pain.
Even then only if you happen to use a feature lost/changed in the upgrade.

> 
> It seems to me that the real issue, rather than incompatible schema
> changes, concerns long-term support commitments to docbook constructs
> in the stylesheets.

Equally possible.

> 
> Thus, allow DocBook to move along at a reasonable pace, but commit to
> supporting DocBook constructs in the stylesheets for some time after
> they are phased out or changed.

I don't think that's even up for discussion is it?
The stylesheets aren't part of the Oasis spec.


> 
> (However, this may occasionally require explicit triggering of
> old-style behavior through stylesheet parameters etc...)

And even more of a headache for Bob!






regards

-- 
Dave Pawson
XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
http://www.dpawson.co.uk