Associating Style Sheets with XML Documents as a W3C Recommendation, representing cross-industry and expert community agreement on the first efforts for allowing style sheets to be associated with an XML document, thus bringing a wider range of design and display options to XML authors. A W3C Recommendation indicates that a specification is stable, contributes to Web interoperability, and has been reviewed by the W3C membership, who favor its adoption by the industry. Bringing Style Capabilities to XML Style sheet development and the separation of presentation information from the structure of a document has been a core W3C work area since its inception. Delivering a Solution with Market Support With more developers using XML, the need for quick and effective style control over XML documents has emerged.
Vendors show strong interest in a timely specification to be included in product releases.
Microsoft, Netscape, Opera Software, and SoftQuad have products that support the new recommendation. Other vendors have promised to support the specification in upcoming products. New Technology Development Underway Work is already underway to develop technologies that will allow developers to place the style sheet link outside the XML document itself in ways that are extensible, self-documenting, and that can be validated. The W3C was created to lead the Web to its full potential by developing common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its interoperability. To date, over 330 organizations are Members of the Consortium.