Date:         Thu, 20 Jun 2002 09:59:09 -0400
Reply-To:     "Z39.50 Next-Generation Initiative" <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       "Z39.50 Next-Generation Initiative" <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Ray Denenberg <[log in to unmask]>
Organization: Library Of Congress
Subject:      Re: Do we agree with the current service description?
Comments: To: "Z39.50 Next-Generation Initiative" <[log in to unmask]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Matthew Dovey wrote:

> My original WSDL had 0 as the default rather than server decides - also -1 to
> mean all. (I'm not too bothered either way but this is a change from where we
> were)

There are three "special cases":
1. no records
2. server decides
3. all the records

And three "special values":
1. -1
2. zero
3. omit the parameter

But do we really need a special case for "all the records"? It would only apply
on the initial query (after that the client knows how many there are). So on the
initial query, let the client supply a very large number for maximumRecords.

Then it seems to me that zero is the natural value for "zero records" and I would
prefer  "omit the parameter" over "-1"  for "server decides".


> > Omit result set position in the response.  We don't need it and it makes
> > us
> > look stupid.  "Hi, I just ask for record #10.  Could you tell me what
> > record
> > I just asked for?"
>
> This was originally added by request from someone in the SRU camp to aid XSLT
> transforms.

Well I've taken it out so if anyone wants it please speak up.

--Ray