[XML-SIG] Working with non-compliant XML utilities

[Martin v. Löwis]

Alexandre Fayolle <Alexandre.Fayolle at logilab.fr> writes:

> This reminds me of DTD validation of EMPTY elements:
> if an element is declared EMPTY in a DTD, then it has to use the
> shortcut notation, otherwise the document is not valid. 

That is not the case. In XML 1.0 (second edition), after clause 43, we
find the definitions

[Definition: An element with no content is said to be empty.] The
representation of an empty element is either a start-tag immediately
followed by an end-tag, or an empty-element tag.

So an <foo></foo> is also an empty element. After clause 44, we find

For interoperability, the empty-element tag should be used, and
should only be used, for elements which are declared EMPTY.

where "For interoperability" is defined as

for interoperability

    [Definition: Marks a sentence describing a non-binding
    recommendation included to increase the chances that XML documents
    can be processed by the existing installed base of SGML processors
    which predate the WebSGML Adaptations Annex to ISO 8879.]

So this is really "should", not "must".

Regards,
Martin