xmlhack: Modularization of XHTML reaches Recommendation

The W3C has released Modularization of XHTML, a major step in re-architecting XHTML, as a W3C Recommendation.

Changes between the Proposed Recommendation and this final Recommendation are minimal, including a new support module for Legacy Redeclarations, an informative references section, and acknowledgements.

Though now a Recommendation, the document has some missing parts. Appendices A, B, and C all promise that:

"This appendix will contain ... via XML Schema [XMLSCHEMA] when the XML Schema becomes a W3C approved recommendation."

This promise may be fulfilled by further development of the Modularization of XHTML in XML Schema, a current working draft. Bjoern Hoehrmann asked:

"Will there be a second edition of the specification in the near future or what is the rationale behind this? Why was the specification put to recommendation status instead of waiting for XML Schema? "

Masayasu Ishikawa, W3C HTML Activity lead, responded:

"The HTML Working Group is working on Modularization of XHTML in XML Schema, but developing a stable XML Schema version needs more time, and there's a bunch of people who have been eagerly waiting for this specification to become a Recommendation, as shown in testimonials, even if XML Schema version is not yet complete."