Author-supplied semantics
Document Actions
The 'class' attribute and the 'span' and 'div' elements.
CNXML enhancements
CNXML will be enhanced to permit authors to associate semantics of their choosing with parts of Connexions modules. These enhancements include at least the following:
- The addition of a class attribute on any CNXML element, with values of the author's choosing;
- The addition of a span element to inline content, which, together with the class attribute permits authors to associate class values with arbitrary spans of inline text for which existing inline elements are inappropriate;
- The addition of a div element to the content class of div-like things, which, together with the class attribute permits authors to associate class values with arbitrary blocks text for which existing block elements are inappropriate.
These enhancements will provide hooks for new functionality, possibly including the following:
- Author-supplied CSS to modify rendering of content within Connexions
- Connexions-supported special behaviors, such as
- different rendering
- additional kinds of interactivity (e.g. AJAXy behaviors)
- Special rendering or behaviors in re-use outside of Connexions
Formal support for author-supplied semantics
Connexions has the option to support author-supplied semantics formally within the repository system. Adoption of of these span, div, and class elements and attributes will probably follow these three stages:
- Author initiative: Authors first make use of a particular class attribute in combination with CNXML elements (including span and div). Connexions watches with interest.
- Informal support: Connexions supports some special behaviors (rendering, indexing, interactivity) for the new @class/span/div constructs.
- Incorporation into CNXML: Connexions augments one of its XML languages by adding elements and attributes corresponding to the @class/span/div combinations supported in (2) and by supporting the associated behaviors formally.
