Introduction to Attributes
This section describes each attribute used in the Tag Sets in alphabetical order
of their tag names (i.e., attribute type names). The tag name is the shorter machine-readable
name used in tagged documents, XML vocabularies, and by software; for example, the tag name
“@dsep” is used for the
attribute named “Decimal Separator”.
Each attribute is described by a separate page, where the heading for the page
displays the attribute’s tag name followed by its longer descriptive name. The rest of the
attribute description page discusses aspects of the attribute, its usage, and the elements to
which it can be attached. The sections within the page always appear in the following order,
although any given attribute description may not contain all the sections:
Description (untitled) | Contains a narrative description of the attribute. This is not a formal dictionary
definition, but more an explanation of what the attribute means, what type of information it
provides, or how it can be used. |
|---|---|
Usage | Discusses expected uses for the attribute, such as when or why it might be used or how
to determine its value |
Remarks | Provides additional information about the attribute, such as similar or contrasting
attributes, processing information, or material about the base element. |
Used on Elements: | Performs three functions:
Elements — The elements that may take the attribute
are named following the phrase “Used on Elements:”. If the attribute can be used in more than one way, or with several slightly different
meanings, there will be more than one “Used on Elements:” section. Each
“Used on Elements:” section is followed by a value table that describes the
attribute’s values when it is used with the elements just listed. For example, the
attribute may have exactly the same meaning whenever it is used, but sometimes it is required
while other times it is optional, so there will be two “Used on Elements:”
sections, one naming all the elements for which the attribute is required, and one naming all
the elements for which the attribute is optional. Value and Meaning — Following each “Used
on Elements:” section is an Attribute Value Table that lists the possible values of
the attribute and explains selected values. When the attribute originates in the NISO STS
Tag Suite, NISO JATS, or BITS; the Attribute Value Table also explains the meaning of each value.
Attributes defined in PUBLIC tag sets that have been incorporated into one of the NISO STS Tag Sets or base Suite (such as the MathML Tag Set and TBX) do not have their values explained, since those values are not controlled by NISO STS and may change without notice. The Attribute Value Table typically contains two columns, although a third column titled
“Behavior” may be present. Each row in the table describes one value, where:
Restriction — The last row of the table contains either the word “Restriction” or the words “Default value”. “Restriction” indicates whether the
attribute must be supplied when the relevant element is used, or the attribute is optional and may be given on the element.
“Default value” indicates the value of the attribute that will be used (by
systems that read the schema) when the document does not supply a value. Suggested usage — For those attributes whose value is
defined as text (letters, numbers, or special characters), this Tag Set does not enforce any
particular value(s), but a list of suggested values may be provided. |
Example | Provides an excerpt of a tagged XML document, showing use of the current attribute. An
attribute is shown in the context of one of its elements, with the current attribute
highlighted. |