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Extensible Markup Language (XML) Activity Statement

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, flexible text format derived from SGML (ISO 8879). The W3C created, developed and continues to maintain the XML specification. The W3C is also the primary center for developing other cross-industry specifications that are based on XML. Some of these are done within the XML Activity, such as XML Query and XML Schema, and some are being done in other W3C areas. The XML Activity tries to keep a balance between maintaining stability and backwards compatibility, making improvements that help to encourage interoperability, and bringing new communities into the world of XML.

Highlights Since the Previous Advisory Committee Meeting

Since November 2009, no new Working Groups were created in this activity; the Service Modeling Working Group completed its work and closed.

The XML Core Working Group has published XML Linking Language (XLink) Version 1.1 as a proposed Recommendation, aligning with the Legacy extended IRIs for XML resource identification (LEIRI) specification and also making the xlink:role attribute optional, simplifying usage and aligning with current practice.

The XML Core Working Group has also worked with ISO on Associating Schemas with XML dcuments, an XML processing instruction to link from XML documents to schemas. There is also been active work on "Associating Style Sheets with XML documents."

The XML Query Working Group and the XSL Working Group have worked jointly on publishing XPath 2.1, XQuery 1.1 and related specifications. They are awaiting test results from implementors.

As reported for TPAC, a second Candidate Recommendation for the XPath 2 and XQuery Full Text extension was used to ensure implementability testing of a minor technical change, made in response to an external comment.

The XSL-FO subgroup of the XSL Working Group has worked on XSLT 2.0, and has published an updated version of Design Notes for Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) 2.0; feedback is strongly encouraged.

The XML Schema Working Group has taken XSD (Schema) back to Last Call as a result of comments received, and is processing issues and expects to move forward shortly.

The XML Processing Model Working Group took XProc: An XML Pipeline Language back to last call, and plans to move forward to Proposed Recommendation.

The Efficient XML Interchange Working Group took Efficient XML Interchange Format to Candidate Recommendation.

The Service Modeling Language (SML) Working Group has published final Recommendations for the Service Modeling Language Version 1.1 and related documents, an has closed down, sa expected.

Upcoming Activity Highlights

The Efficient XML Interchange format is likely to push XML into new areas, especially on mobile and embedded platforms, and will create new opportunities. XQuery and XSLT 2 are slowly gaining adoption, and XML Schema 1.1 is likely to become a Recommendation this year.

Summary of Activity Structure

GroupChairTeam ContactCharter
Efficient XML Interchange Working Group
(participants)
Takuki Kamiya, Michael CokusCarine BournezChartered until 30 September 2010
XML Coordination Group
(participants)
Michael Sperberg-McQueenLiam QuinChartered until 31 January 2011
XML Core Working Group
(participants)
Paul Grosso, Norman WalshHenry S. ThompsonChartered until 31 January 2011
XML Plenary Interest GroupMichael Sperberg-McQueenLiam QuinChartered until 31 January 2011
XML Processing Model Working Group
(participants)
Norman WalshHenry S. ThompsonChartered until 30 September 2010
XML Query Working Group
(participants)
Jim MeltonLiam QuinChartered until 31 January 2011
XML Schema Interest GroupMichael Sperberg-McQueenHenry S. ThompsonChartered until 31 January 2011
XML Schema Working Group
(participants)
David EzellHenry S. ThompsonChartered until 31 January 2011
XSL Working Group
(participants)
Sharon AdlerLiam Quin, Carine BournezChartered until 31 January 2011

This Activity Statement was prepared for the March 2010 W3C Advisory Committee Meeting (Members only) per section 5 of the W3C Process Document. Generated from group data.

Liam R. E. Quin, XML Activity Lead

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