HTML 3.2 PR (fwd)

MegaZone (
Fri, 15 Nov 1996 14:44:14 -0800 (PST)

Message-Id: <>
Subject: HTML 3.2 PR (fwd)
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 14:44:14 -0800 (PST)
From: MegaZone <>

Once upon a time R. S. van Keuren shaped the electrons to say...
>I suggest that HMTL 3.2 not make the <!DOCTYPE tag a required tag,
>but instead use a simpler syntax, such as <VERSION or <DOCTYPE, or
>add an option to an existing tag.

DOCTYPE is required by SGML.  HTML is just an application of SGML.

>Reason:  <! in HTML indicates a comment.  And should stay a comment.
>  There seem to be no other tags in HTML that start with <!.

No, in HTML <!-- indicates a comment.  <! is an SGML marker.

>Option to add to existing tag suggestions:
>    <HTML VERSION=3.2>

That is provided for.  Read the DTD - the very last thing.

>These suggestions are MUCH simpler and clearer than the complicated
><!DOCTYPE examples shown in the proposed standard.

it, and experienced users can insert it by hand.


>My preference would go to adding a version option to the HTML tag.

You haven't read the DTD, have you?


<!ENTITY % version.attr "VERSION CDATA #FIXED '%HTML.Version;'">

<![ %HTML.Deprecated [
    <!ENTITY % html.content "HEAD, BODY, PLAINTEXT?">

<!ELEMENT HTML O O  (%html.content)>