> -----Original Message-----
> From: Z39.50 Next-Generation Initiative [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
> On Behalf Of Alan Kent
> Sent: 02 March 2004 23:59
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: serverInfo
> 
> On Mon, Mar 01, 2004 at 11:15:34AM +0000, Mike Taylor wrote:
> > > From: "LeVan,Ralph" <[log in to unmask]>
> ...
> > > Your java test just tells me that
> > > the URL constructor is in error.
> >
> > Agreed.
> 
> I am happy with database names not starting with '/', but 
> just wanted to quash the idea that the Java URL constructor 
> was necessarily in error.
> URLs normally have a protocol and an absolute path. Absolute 
> paths start with a leading '/'. That is, the grammar says you 
> have "http://host:port"
> plus an absolute path such as "/a/b/c". Its not 
> "http://host:port/" plus a path of "a/b/c".


That's what I thought, until I checked the spec.
(http://www.w3.org/Addressing/rfc1738.txt)

Secion 3.3

"An HTTP URL takes the form:

      http://<host>:<port>/<path>?<searchpart>"

Note that the / is not part of the path

Also section 3.1 (especailly the final sentence)

" url-path
        The rest of the locator consists of data specific to the
        scheme, and is known as the "url-path". It supplies the
        details of how the specified resource can be accessed. Note
        that the "/" between the host (or port) and the url-path is
        NOT part of the url-path."

Matthew