[NeXus-tech] suggestion for all NXDL files

[Pete R. Jemian]

The version number specific to each NXDL is used to
document (but not specify for validation) the specific
version of that NXDL spec.  The SVN Id is there but hides
a certain detail that after a significant change in the
NXDL spec that requires a change in version, subsequent
revisions with superficial changes (to add documentation
or correct small problems) will also change the SVN Id.
These subsequent changes should not affect the version attribute.

freddie.akeroyd at stfc.ac.uk wrote:
> Pete,
> 
> We currently have an svn revision attribute attached to a definition and
> also an overall version number as part of "xmlns". What was the thinking
> on the format and usage of this version number - is it e.g purely
> descriptive or would it be used in validation (and hence need to tie up
> with xmlns in some way)? Currently we would release and version all
> definitions together - this gets round the problem of "version x of
> something requiring version y of something else", but it a little
> restrictive for minor changes to definitions. Maybe we need to look at a
> more general definition dependencies system e.g. specifying the version
> of a definition you extend/inherit from.
> 
> Freddie
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nexus-tech-bounces at nexusformat.org
> [mailto:nexus-tech-bounces at nexusformat.org] On Behalf Of Pete R. Jemian
> Sent: 13 January 2010 08:34
> To: NeXus Technical sub-committee list
> Subject: [NeXus-tech] suggestion for all NXDL files
> 
> 
> one suggestion from the HDF5 workshop is to add a required attribute to
> the
> <definition> element for a "version" attribute that is a character
> string.
> 
> I agree with this idea and am ready to commit it to the rules.
> Discussion or objections?
> 
> Pete
> 

-- 
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  Pete R. Jemian, Ph.D.                <jemian at anl.gov>
  Beam line Controls and Data Acquisition, Group Leader
  Advanced Photon Source,   Argonne National Laboratory
  Argonne, IL  60439                   630 - 252 - 3189
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     Education is the one thing for which people
        are willing to pay yet not receive.
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