• ODF_1.2_Document_Structure

ODF 1.2 Document Structure

Summary

Proposal owner:

Dennis E. Hamilton

Brief Description:

Define the structure within and among the artifacts that comprise the representation of a single ODF document.  Account for variations among the specified document types, for variations with regard to (version) conformance, and for variations among 
 * XML-document components that are defined by the specification, 
 * non-XML components and packagings defined by the specification, 
 * other components (XML-documents and otherwise) recognized by but not defined by the specification.

Increasing the precision of document-structure definition is important with respect to 
 * definition of conformance, validity, and well-formedness
 * clarification of the relationships among ODF-specified components  
 * reconciliation of the relationship among components that are packaged together but not explicitly linked, components that are packaged together and explicitly linked, and components that are connected by linking but not packaging

Rationale

Approach

This approach material will be removed as the proposal is fleshed out.

• It is not intended that practical organization of ODF document structures will be impacted by this proposal. The intention is to affirm existing practice by having a well-defined, explicit ODF Document Structure. Interdependencies among components and the relationship to conformance are to be made clear.
• This proposal will rationalize nomenclature around ODF documents, ODF document parts, ODF document structure, ODF subdocuments, and ODF package items. XML documents and other kinds of documents/media will be referred to in unambiguous ways that recognize their particular roles as components in an ODF document structure.
• The use of "ODF document" may need to be refined to distinguish between the persistent digital artifacts and the notional document that is manifest by interpretation of the artifacts using an ODF-conformant processor.
• We might need to retain "ODF document" as the structure of persistent artifacts and use a different term for the notional/conceptual document.
• Contribute to a nomenclature section of the specification that establishes the key terminology that is then used throughout the document. The reliance on precise terminology will cleary delineate whether an aspect of document structure is being referred to and what that aspect is.
• Although it might be possible and appropriate to simply adjust editorial style about the document structure without drawing attention to it, I think it is more likely that definition of the ODF 1.2 Document Structure will need to be made by way of nomenclature definitions, the sections describing "document format" and the conformance statements.
• This proposal does not appear to interact with proposals for detailed features for ODF documents and document processing. It is possible that refinement and implementation of this proposal can overlap into the editorial work to review and complete the draft specification parts for ODF 1.2.
• There is also a meta-structure involved in the specification of ODF 1.2 involving the schemas, namespaces, the dependency on other specifications, and how that relates to validation of the organization and content of an ODF 1.2 document structure. That is not in the scope of this proposal.

• The proposal for ODF_1.2_Document_Processing_Model addresses abstractions such as document models and processing-related details that are the semantic interpretation of ODF 1.2 document structures.

Use cases:

TBD

Alternatives considered:

TBD

Requested changes to the ODF Standard

Text changes/additions (please state section numbers):

TBD

Schema changes/additions:

Schema changes are not expected for this proposal.  This proposal focuses on the relationship among separate components and not details of the XML documents that occur as ODF documents or ODF subdocument (i.e., the root elements).  The schemas for the various root elements and for free-standing documents are not expected to change.  There is also no change expected for schemas and specifications for components incorporated and customized by reference from the ODF specification.

Impacts

Conformance:

 * There is expected to be a connection with the model for ODF document structures and the specification of conformance.  
 * The agreed specification of ODF 1.2 Document Structure may provide additional differentiation of conformant, loosely-conformant, non-conformant, and other degrees of conformance along with other conformance distinctions being made for the first time with ODF 1.2.

Backwards compatibility:

There should be no impact of this proposal on existing ODF documents (and their document structures) and existing implementations of ODF processors beyond the impact of changed version identification (see ["ODF 1.2 Version Significance"])  The specification of ODF 1.2 Document Structure does not introduce breaking changes in the processing of ODF documents.

Accessibility impact:

Codification of ODF 1.2 Document Structure does not alter the accessibility considerations that apply in the processing of ODF documents.  No new elements or attributes are added.  How and whether document structure is characterized as part of an interactive interface is entirely in the province of processor implementation.

Workflow (to be filled in by TC Chairs)

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Date Proposal initially made:

Dates Proposal discussed on TC calls:

Date vote is requested:

Date vote is held:

Results of vote:

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