The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, flexible text format derived from SGML (ISO 8879). The W3C created and maintais 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 (such as SVG) 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.
Low W3C staff resources in the XML Activity meant that much work was done without technical staff involvement. The Activity is still accomplishing a lot with relatively few staff (1.5 FTE).
The Actvity is chartered overall until January 2013. Some Working Groups within the XML Activity are expected to finish their current work and close sooner.
No new work has been started in XML over the Summer.
The XML Core Working Group has worked with ISO on revising Associating Schemas with XML documents, an XML processing instruction to link from XML documents to schemas. This document has advanced within ISO, but is expected to remain a Note at W3C.
The XML Query Working Group and the XSL Working Group have jointly published drafts for XQuery 3.0, XQueryX 3.0, XPath 3.0 and the supporting documents. XQuery 3.0 was originally to be called XQuery 1.1, and would correspond to XSLT 2.0, but this was confusing and so the documents were all renumbered to be 3.0, including the supporting specifications such as the XQuery and XPath Data Model, Serialization, and so forth.
The XML Print and Page Layout Working Group has published the first working draft of XSL-FO 2.0 to be based on the complete specification, rather than just listing changes. feedback is strongly encouraged.
The XML Schema Working Group has moved Schema 1.1 (both parts) to Candidate Recommendation, as expected, and is working on implementation feedback.
The Efficient XML Interchange Working Group published a Working Draft of an Efficient XML Interchange (EXI) Profile suitable for memory-constrained devices.
The Efficient XML Interchange format is pushing 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.
| Group | Chair | Team Contact | Charter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient XML Interchange Working Group (participants) | Takuki Kamiya, Michael Cokus | Carine Bournez | Chartered until 30 June 2012 |
| XML Coordination Group (participants) | Michael Sperberg-McQueen | Liam Quin | Chartered until 30 January 2013 |
| XML Core Working Group (participants) | Paul Grosso, Norman Walsh | Liam Quin | Chartered until 31 January 2013 |
| XML Processing Model Working Group (participants) | Norman Walsh | Liam Quin | Chartered until 31 January 2012 |
| XML Query Working Group (participants) | Jim Melton | Liam Quin, Carine Bournez | Chartered until 31 January 2013 |
| XML Schema Working Group (participants) | David Ezell | Liam Quin | Chartered until 31 January 2013 |
| XSLT Working Group (participants) | Sharon Adler | Liam Quin, Carine Bournez | Chartered until 31 January 2013 |
| XML Print and Page Layout Working Group (participants) | Liam Quin | Liam Quin | Chartered until 31 January 2013 |
This Activity Statement was prepared for TPAC 2011 per section 5 of the W3C Process Document. Generated from group data.
Liam R. E. Quin, XML Activity Lead
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