June 15, 1998. Maintained by the W3C DOM WG.
The Document Object Model is a platform- and language-neutral interface that will allow programs and scripts to dynamically access and update the content, structure and style of documents. The document can be further processed and the results of that processing can be incorporated back into the presented page. This is an overview of DOM-related materials here at W3C and around the web.
"Dynamic HTML" is a term used by some vendors to describe the combination of HTML, style sheets and scripts that allows documents to be animated. W3C has received several submissions from members companies on the way in which the object model of HTML documents should be exposed to scripts. These submissions do not propose any new HTML tags or style sheet technology. The W3C DOM WG is working hard to make sure interoperable and scripting-language neutral solutions are agreed upon.
This is the W3C statement of direction concerning the evolution of the Document Object Model. Look here for information about the goals of the work and the current situation.
Although questions about the DOM may be posted in other forums, it would be best to post them to the public mailing list at www-dom@w3.org. To subscribe, send mail to www-dom-request@w3.org with the subject "subscribe".
The work being done by the DOM WG will be released in several stages, in the form of Working Drafts used to build the Document Object Model Specification. The first Working Draft is the requirements document. Functionality equivalent to that currently exposed in Netscape Navigator 3.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 is referred to as "level zero". The DOM builds on this existing technology. The Working Draft of level one contains functionality for document navigation and manipulation. The Working Draft of level one core, HTML, and XML is now publicly available for comments.
Note that these documents represent a snapshot of our thoughts and are here for public comment only. Experimental implementations may be made in the realization that specifications will change without regard to compatibility with earlier versions of the specifications. When the DOM WG thinks that the material in any given Working Draft is stable, it will be submitted to the W3C Membership as a Proposed Recommendation. If the Membership agrees that the specification is stable and contributes to Web interoperability, it will issue a W3C Recommendation. See the Technical Reports and Publications page for more details.
It is also possible that W3C Notes related to the DOM will be made available. The definition of a Note at the page given above is: "The Consortium may make available on the Web information, ideas or commentary from W3C staff, Members, or the general public. Such information may be released, at the discretion of the W3C Director, as a NOTE."
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