[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message]

Re: Philosophy of XML datatypes (was: What is an integer? (was

• From: "Gavin Nicol" <gtn@rbii.com>
• To: "Roger L Costello" <costello@mitre.org>, xml-dev <xml-dev@l...>
• Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:01:06 -0400

<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

_______________________________________________________________________

XML-DEV is a publicly archived, unmoderated list hosted by OASIS

to support XML implementation and development. To minimize

spam in the archives, you must subscribe before posting.

[Un]Subscribe/change address: http://www.oasis-open.org/mlmanage/

Or unsubscribe: xml-dev-unsubscribe@lists.xml.org

subscribe: xml-dev-subscribe@l...

List archive: http://lists.xml.org/archives/xml-dev/

List Guidelines: http://www.oasis-open.org/maillists/guidelines.php

• References:
  • XML Quiz
    • From: Roger L Costello <costello@mitre.org>
  • What is an integer? (was: Re: XML Quiz)
    • From: Roger L Costello <costello@mitre.org>
  • Philosophy of XML datatypes (was: What is an integer? (was: Re: XML Quiz))
    • From: Roger L Costello <costello@mitre.org>