[DFDL-WG] Scoping Rules Rewrite

[Tom Sugden]

Hi all,

Please find attached my attempt at a rewrite of the scoping rules from
the draft specification. This work was undertaken in response to
concerns about the size of the spec. My aim was to condense the
material at the same time as improving clarity. I have certainly
reduced the size, so the main question is whether the essentials are
still there.

My approach was to first try and summarise the rules concisely, making
use of tables for easy reference, and then to illustrate them with
cut-down examples. I have also created a new set of styles to improve
readability, and used a flatter structure for the section.

One sub-section from the draft spec was completely cut (and perhaps
should not have been): Resolution Rules for Formal Properties. It did
not seem to to sit comfortably with the rest of the section since it
discusses in detail the logic of a DFDL processor over an entire
traversal of a DFDL document. My own feeling is that it would be
better in a section of the spec covering the logic of the processor,
rather than the rules of the language, or perhaps in a different
document.

I would be grateful to receive any feedback on this work, and hear
opinions about whether a similar approach might benefit other parts of
the spec. On the other hand, I will take no offense if you feel the
style is inappropriate or the content lacking! It has been a useful
personal exercise to learn more about DFDL and spec writing is new to
me.

All the best,
Tom
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