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Re: Reserved prefixes

  • To: "Discussion list of the IUCr Committee for the Maintenance of the CIFStandard (COMCIFS)" <[email protected]>
  • Subject: Re: Reserved prefixes
  • From: James H via comcifs <[email protected]>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:01:19 +1000
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  • Cc: James H <[email protected]>, [email protected], Simon Westrip <[email protected]>
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On (1), I agree with others that we need to maintain registration of prefixes. It is essential to avoid namespace collisions, and the registry provides a way to start tracking down the meaning of stray data names.

On (2), I would prefer that the main registry is always available on an IUCr-controlled website, rather than Github. While Github is very convenient for rapid development of dictionaries and software, as Brian points out it is a bit risky to rely on a non-IUCr-controlled website as the ultimate point of truth for something related to our standards. This is also why our dictionaries, once released, have their final resting place on the IUCr website.

That said, Github could be used as a place to handle requests for new prefixes, as long as the IUCr page with the list of registered prefixes is updated in parallel to any updates accepted via Github. It's possible this may lighten the maintenance burden at Chester at the same time as allowing richer submission features (e.g. public comments). If, in the future, Github becomes impractical for whatever reason, the Chester office would then have to resurrect the submission logic. It's really a decision for the Chester office as to whether using Github in this way would be a net win.


On Wed, 22 Jul 2026 at 02:45, Simon Westrip via comcifs <[email protected]> wrote:
The page at https://www.iucr.org/cgi-bin/cifreserve.pl describes
'reserved prefixes', primarily allowing developers to create 'local'
data names without necessarily publishing an associated dictionary.

As the IUCr is leaning towards 'opening up' CIF-related content
development and discussion by migrating to GitHub (while still
promoting/publishing/maintaining CIF content on its websites and through
its publications), I have a couple of questions:

1) Do COMCIFS (and contributors) want to continue/encourage this practice?

NB  the registry seems to be active (3 registered prefixes in 2026)

2) Should this facility be migrated to the COMCIFS GitHub repository?

For example, a simple repository containing a list of 'approved'
prefixes (along with associated metadata, ideally in CIF format), with
ability to request additions via GitHub's issue mechanism.


Any thoughts?


Cheers

Simon


S. P. Westrip





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