Comment on RIM 0.60

[Dan Chang <dtchang@us.ibm.com>]

1. Line Range the comment is against
Page 12, Figure 2: Information Model Inheritance View and other relevant
parts of the specification.

2. Comment
The Inheritance View shows that IntrinsicObject, ExtrinsicObject, Package,
Organization, ClassificationNode, Classification, Association, ExternalLink
and ExternalIdentifier all inherit from RegistryEntry. This is neither
proper nor desirable.

3. Rational for the comment
Inheritance means that a subinterface inherits the semantics and methods of
its superinterface(s). A RegistryEntry provides metadata about a repository
item in the Registry and is related to exactly one repository item. It
provides methods such as getAssociatedObject(), getClassificationNodes(),
getExternalLinks(), getStability(), getExpirationDate(), etc. If, for
example, ExternalLink inherits from RegistryItem, then: (1) what is the
related repository item for an ExternalLink, and (2) what are the results
of calling getAssociatedObject(), getClassificationNodes(),
getExternalLinks(), getStability(), getExpirationDate(), etc. on an
ExternalLink?

4. Suggestion for change
Review the Inheritance View and remove all inheritance relationships that
are not proper or desirable.

Regards,  Dan

e-business Data Technology and Standards
IBM Silicon Valley Laboratory
Notes:     Dan Chang/Santa Teresa/IBM@IBMUS
Internet:  dtchang@us.ibm.com
VM:          IBMUSM50(DTCHANG)
Phone:    (408)-463-2319