[DFDL-WG] lengthUnits bits not allowed for complex type - Unnecessary restriction on length units?

[Mike Beckerle]

In section 12.3.7.3 we have this sentence:

"The dfdl:lengthUnits may be 'bytes' or 'characters' and it is a schema
definition error otherwise. "

Does anyone recall why we have this?

I have data formats which are bit oriented and there are complex types
which would naturally not be a multiple of 8 bytes long, e.g., 1 bit field,
3 bit field, 10 bit field, 6 bit field = 20 bits.

I can't think of any reason for this restriction other than to explain how
fillByte is used to fill in unused bits. But I think we can say that any
unused bits are filled in with bits from the fillByte, and we don't have to
be specific about which bits from the fillByte.


Mike Beckerle | OGF DFDL Workgroup Co-Chair | Tresys Technology |
www.tresys.com
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