This Network Update was distributed via the Exchange Network email alerts list on March 31, 2006.

The Network Operations Board (NOB) has issued revisions to two previously issued Decision Memoranda. The first decision deals with the formatting of Exchange Network XML Namespaces. Revised guidance now calls for namespaces to contain only major version numbers as opposed to major and minor version numbers as previously recommended. The revised namespace decision memorandum can be found at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/operations/nob/decisions.htm. Updated guidance documents reflecting this change are also posted to the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/dev_schema/index.htm.

The NOB also revised the previously released decision memorandum on Valid Literal Representations, Use, and Interpretation of XML Schema Boolean Type Elements. These revisions served two purposes: 1) to remove confusion around implementation of null in databases as compared to implementation of null in XML, and 2) to clarify guidance for schema developers and data providers. The revised decision memorandum is posted to the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/operations/nob/decisions.htm.

Decision memoranda are official network policies that formally document all NOB decisions and describe who is affected and what actions are expected. With each of its decisions, the NOB strives to grow a more homogenous network without imposing undue burden on network partners.