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[Len Bullard] talking about the SGML Declaration >Again, the Declaration is the ultimate escape hatch: I disagree with Len here. The SGML Declaration is not the ultimate escape hatch. It is a declarative syntax providing a finite amount of options for configuring the lexical side of an SGML parser. A finite set of dials that can be twisted. If the configuration you want cannot be achieved by twisting the dials -- you are out of luck. The ultimate escape hatch is *code* - always. The trick with declarative syntaxes is to mix asymptotic omniscience with humility - try and forsee what will be needed in terms of "dials" but leave an escape catch to splice in imperative code when your forsight is found wanting (which it will). Both extremes of the mix are unsavoury to the masses. SGML is an example of the former. Lisp is an example of the latter. XML does not solve this problem - it just moves it into other systems that then struggle with it afresh. XSLT for example:-) Sean
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