[x3d-public] ISO/IEC 19777-2:2005 -- X3D Java binding: inconsistencies detected, exploration with X3DJSAIL

[Don Brutzman]

Roy thanks for noting some omissions in X3DJSAIL field definitions.

The SAI interface methods found in the X3DJSAIL javadoc and source,

	http://www.web3d.org/specifications/java/javadoc/org/web3d/x3d/sai/X3DField.html

are intended to match official Java SAI interfaces in the spec annex

	Extensible 3D (X3D) language bindings, Part 2: Java, B.4.5 X3DField
	http://www.web3d.org/documents/specifications/19777-2/V3.0/Part2/abstracts.html#X3DField

However, as you note, these definitions do not seem to be in agreement with corresponding body of the spec:

	Extensible 3D (X3D) language bindings, Part 2: Java, 4 Tables, 4.2.8 Field services
	and contained
	Table 4.10 — Field services listed alphabetically by abstract name
	http://www.web3d.org/documents/specifications/19777-2/V3.0/Part2/tables.html#FieldServices

After rechecking the interface hierarchy, I will work to add both sets of methods (at first glance, they seem compatible) to both the specification .sai interfaces and standalone .jsail objects.

This specification inconsistency should be added to the Specification TODO list.

	X3D JSAIL: Specification Changes under Consideration
	http://www.web3d.org/specifications/java/X3dJavaSpecificationChangesAndIssues.txt

All interfaces, corrections and additions also need to get cross-checked at some point with Abstract SAI.

This should go into Mantis please.  Will report suggested reconciliation in a future X3DJSAIL release.

I'm copying x3d-public list because getting the SAI interfaces correct is so important.  Inconsistent implementations have probably been one big reason why the X3D APIs have not taken off as well as the file encodings.

Looking forward to continued steady progress, again thanks.

all the best, Don
-- 
Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br       brutzman at nps.edu
Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA   +1.831.656.2149
X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman