Why no ']]>' in CharData?

[rev-bob at gotc.com]

> >> Not too many folks noticed it but I removed the hex numerical character
> >> references in the preliminary EBNF.  I prefer hex but didn't like the
> >> extra 'x' to get there.  I can go with either hex or decimal but not both.
> >
> >Why on earth not?  I hope you're not going to plead processor 
> >power or complexity of coding; I remember writing this conversion
> >in my sleep on ye olde Apple II, lo these many years ago.
> >Considering that my $100 palmtop has much more memory than even 
> >my old revved-up Apple clone ever did (and probably more 
> >computing power), I just can't realistically credit this argument.
> 
> I just do not see the point of offering both hex and decimal.
> Convenience doesn't fly since writer might be used to hex and
> the reader might be used to decimal.

Funny - that's exactly why convenience DOES fly.  If I'm used to hex and you're used to 
decimal, doesn't it make sense to allow both?  It's a trivial conversion that makes for a 
lot more ease for users - allowing both is a no-brainer.  After all, this is supposed to be 
"Simple", right?  Simple - as in "use what you know instead of having to learn a new 
base and the new equivalents for common entities"?

I've got a lot of decimal-based entities in my code; what is your compelling reason for 
making me convert all of them to hex in the name of a *Simple* Markup Language?  
Conversely, maybe Joe over there uses a lot of hex-based Unicode entities; why should 
he have to go in and convert 'em to decimal?

> Unless someone can offer a compelling reason for supporting both,
> I am sticking with my view.

I think portability of existing documents should be more than compelling enough.



 Rev. Robert L. Hood  | http://rev-bob.gotc.com/
  Get Off The Cross!  | http://www.gotc.com/

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