<alternatives> Alternatives For Processing

Container element used to hold a group of processing alternatives, for example, a single <graphic> that ships in several formats (tif, gif, and jpeg) or in different resolutions. This element is a physical grouping to contain multiple logically equivalent (substitutable) versions of the same information object. Typically these are processing alternatives, and the reader is expected to see only one version of the object.

Usage/Remarks

<alternatives> is neither inherently block nor inline in nature, because the block or inline quality is determined by context and usage. A typical example for this element as a block construct is a <graphic> that ships with a document in multiple versions, for example, as a .tif, a .jpeg, and an SVG file or as both a color graphic and a black-and-white. A typical example of an inline alternatives is an <inline-formula> that is available in four forms: as a .tif image (<inline-graphic>), encoded in MathML (<mml:math>), encoded in TeX, and a version in plain ASCII.
Accessibility
This element, by providing a container for alternative versions of a graphic or media object, enables providing a textual alternative to any graphic or media object as well as providing an enlarged graphic version for accessibility.
Attributes

Base Attributes

Models and Context
May be contained in
Description
Content Model
<!ELEMENT  alternatives %alternatives-model;                         >
Expanded Content Model

(array | chem-struct | code | graphic | inline-graphic | inline-supplementary-material | media | preformat | private-char | supplementary-material | table | oasis:table | textual-form | tex-math | mml:math)+

Tagged Sample

Equation with 3 alternatives: graphic, accessible graphic, and MathML

...
<disp-formula id="num00001">
 <alternatives>
   <graphic xlink:href="http://www.astm.org/HTTP/IMAGES/G0094-05R14_1.gif"
     specific-use="no MathML"/>
   <graphic xlink:href="http://www.astm.org/HTTP/IMAGES/G0094-05R14_1-accessible.gif"
     specific-use="accessible"/>
   <mml:math display="block">
     <mml:mrow>
      <mml:mi mathvariant="normal">P</mml:mi>
      <mml:mo>&amp;</mml:mo>
      <mml:mi mathvariant="normal">B</mml:mi>
      <mml:mspace width="0.25em"/>
      <mml:mtext>Ratio</mml:mtext>
      <mml:mo>=</mml:mo>
      <mml:mtext>Wd/awD</mml:mtext>
     </mml:mrow>
   </mml:math>
  </alternatives>
</disp-formula>
...
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