News - URN Proposal for Comment

URN Proposal for Comment

3 March 2005

A URN (Unique Resource Name) is an internet resource with a name that, unlike a URL, has persistent significance - that is, the owner of the URN can expect that the resource will always be locatable.

A proposal to make Unique Resource Name (URN), a subset of Unique / Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), the standard for constructing XML namespaces for New Zealand has been posted to www.e-government.govt.nz.

An XML namespace is a way of unambiguously defining each element type and attribute name in an XML document. This means that two or more XML schemas can be used in a single document without creating a conflict.

XML namespaces link the XML data with the appropriate XML schema(s). XML namespaces can be defined using Unique / Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs). Adopting a standard URI scheme will ensure that XML namespaces are unified and globally unique. It will assist in improving XML data exchange across all government agencies.

This document proposes that a standard for namespaces be added to the New Zealand e-GIF. The proposal is called �URN � A Unique/Uniform Resource Identifier naming convention and scheme for XML namespaces.�

The E-government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) team are currently accepting comment on this document. If you would like to submit feedback, there is an online registration form, or you can download the form and post it back. Submissions must be received by March 31, 2005.

For more information, email e-gif@ssc.govt.nz