• From: Roger L Costello <costello@m...>
• To: "xml-dev@l..." <xml-dev@l...>
• Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2023 19:28:37 +0000

<num>44</num>

The value of the <num> element -- 44 -- represents an integer.

How do we know that 44 represents an integer?

Because it matches the regex [+-]?[0-9]+ and someone decided that any string matching that regex represents an integer.

So 44 is an integer?

No, integers are abstract objects and 44 is a physical object.

So 44 is not an integer?

Precisely. It is a representation of an idealized object. It is a representation of an integer.
............................
The philosophers out there, would you elaborate on this please?

/Roger

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Philosophy of XML datatypes (was: What is an integer?(was: Re: XML Quiz))
    • From: Peter Flynn <peter@s...>
  • Re: Philosophy of XML datatypes (was: What is an integer?(was: Re: XML Quiz))
    • From: Kit <kit.saels@g...>
  • Re: Philosophy of XML datatypes (was: What is an integer? (was: Re: XML Quiz))
    • From: "Gavin Nicol" <gtn@r...>

• References:
  • XML Quiz
    • From: Roger L Costello <costello@m...>
  • What is an integer? (was: Re: XML Quiz)
    • From: Roger L Costello <costello@m...>