Hi Mike:

>> It has been my understanding that the current work within OASIS is aimed
>> *precisely* at developing a "formal specification".
>> 
>> Not sure where you got the idea that there was an existing formal spec.
> 
> http://www.loc.gov/standards/sru/specs/cql.html

I don't have any notion of this proposal being advanced as a formal spec. By
"formal specification" I had inferred a document that had been ratified by a
recognized standards body, whether SDO or SSO. This page is not that. But
the new draft CQL [1] is in process of becoming that and will be issued by
OASIS as an industry recognized SSO.

The page cited above talks about CQL as constituting a "formal language".
This is not quite the same the same thing as a "formal specification".


>> I'm sure that those who are working on formalizing the specifications would
>> more than welcome the experience of those who "have actually implemented"
>> and are "in a position to verify that the modified grammar expresses what it
>> intends".
> 
> You would think so; were Adam Dickmess's corrections taken on?

Adam's corrections are still very much on the table. The latest CQL draft is
dated April 22 [1] and there was an active exchange on the SRU list in June,
culminating in this final message [2] from Adam agreeing with the proposed
alterations. These have not been published yet as the main focus of the last
6 months work has been on the SRU prtocol itself. We expect to publish a new
updated verison of the CQL spec shortly.

Cheers,

Tony


[1] 
http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/37434/cql-draft-april-22-2
010.doc

[2] http://listserv.loc.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind1006&L=zng&T=0&P=4877


********************************************************************************   
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is
not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error
please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage
mechanism. Neither Macmillan Publishers Limited nor any of its agents accept
liability for any statements made which are clearly the sender's own and not
expressly made on behalf of Macmillan Publishers Limited or one of its agents.
Please note that neither Macmillan Publishers Limited nor any of its agents
accept any responsibility for viruses that may be contained in this e-mail or
its attachments and it is your responsibility to scan the e-mail and 
attachments (if any). No contracts may be concluded on behalf of Macmillan 
Publishers Limited or its agents by means of e-mail communication. Macmillan 
Publishers Limited Registered in England and Wales with registered number 785998 
Registered Office Brunel Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke RG21 6XS   
********************************************************************************