w3c/epub-specs

Allow xml:lang and dir on dc:source

Closed this issue · 3 comments

I know the ideal is that dc:source should specify an isbn or similar identifier, but it's not a requirement since there may not always be one (e.g., converting a word doc to an epub). Sometimes you have to write a description of the source.

I noticed just now that the general DC optional element definition doesn't allow these attributes on that element. Seems like an oversight when we created that definition since even epubcheck allows them.

I'm not sure if this rises above a level 2 change or not. We're clarifying where the attributes are allowed, but practically I don't think this requires anything new of reading systems. I'm going to mark it as class 2 for now but feel free to change.

I know the ideal is that dc:source should specify an isbn or similar identifier, but it's not a requirement since there may not always be one (e.g., converting a word doc to an epub). Sometimes you have to write a description of the source.

Just to underline what you say, the DCMI definition says:

"Recommended best practice is to identify the related resource by means of a string conforming to a formal identification system."

And we use dc:source in EPUB without further restriction.

Seems like an oversight when we created that definition since even epubcheck allows them.

+1

I'm not sure if this rises above a level 2 change or not. We're clarifying where the attributes are allowed, but practically I don't think this requires anything new of reading systems. I'm going to mark it as class 2 for now but feel free to change.

It may be new to the reading system, because it could affect the way the source value is presented to the end user. But this is not specified by EPUB. Consequently, I think Class 2 is fine.

@mattgarrish @iherman would “localizing” using xml:lang also apply to dc:date — though the docs state that the value should be in ISO 8601 format…

would “localizing” using xml:lang also apply to dc:date

This is an open question in #2650