Guidelines for the Use of XML within IETF Protocols

The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a framework for structuring data. While it evolved from SGML -- a markup language primarily focused on structuring documents -- XML has evolved to be a widely- used mechanism for representing structured data. There are a wide variety of Internet protocols being developed; many have need for a representation for structured data relevant to their application. There has been much interest in the use of XML as a representation method. This document describes basic XML concepts, analyzes various alternatives in the use of XML, and provides guidelines for the use of XML within IETF standards-track protocols. Intended Publication Status It is the goal of the authors that this draft (when completed and then approved by the IESG) be published as a Best Current Practice (BCP). Conventions Used In This Document This document recommends, as policy, what specifications for Internet protocols -- and, in particular, IETF standards track protocol documents -- should include as normative language within them. The capitalized keywords "SHOULD", "MUST", "REQUIRED", etc. are used in the sense of how they would be used within other documents with the meanings as specified in RFC 2119 [1]. Discussion Venue The authors welcome discussion and comments relating to the topics presented in this document. Though direct comments to the authors are welcome, public discussion is taking place on the "ietf-xml- use@imc.org" mailing list. To join the list, send a message to "ietf-xml-use-request@imc.org" with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message. List archives [50] are available on the World Wide Web.