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Subject: Re: [legalxml-courtfiling] ECF: XML Cardinality
Practical effects of (un)constrained elements
Constrained XML elements ... |
Unbounded XML elements* ... |
Reason |
… make life easier for developers |
… make life easier for data-mappers and higher-level view. |
Insufficient constraints makes it easier to hide sloppy thinking with hand waving. Computers don't do hand-waving, so developers must resolve elements to specific actions. |
… force rigorous thinking earlier in the process. May require an extension if ECF doesn't support a concept needed by a court. |
… increase the temptation to “show horn” concepts not supported by ECF into existing elements. |
The absence of constraints creates a climate of “anything goes” These is a reason we don't try to accomplish e-filing in free verse poetry. |
… increases standardization, code reuse and interoperability. |
… increases one-off systems and idiosyncratic uses of ECF. |
By making is easier to drop a court's existing practices into ECF without mapping or making tough design decisions, we can increase “ECF compliant” systems in name only at the cost of systems that can effectively talk to each other. |
* This only applies to XML elements where there is NOT a clear, defined, commonly understood meaning for repeating elements. Of course, there are many elements that should be unbounded.
Conclusion: There is no shortcut or easy way out. Elements must be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if a clear meaning for repeating elements exists.
I would like to see this resolved one way or the other. If the committee decides to go with unbounded elements, that puts additional costs and stumbling blocks in front of us, but we've dealt with worse before.
Thanks,
Eric
Effects Cardinality Has on Flexibility
ECF Members,
The attached is provided for your consideration. The information is not intended to be all-inclusive, but it is intended to spur conversation. Its distribution was requested by Jim Cabral.
Regards,
Jim
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