Changeset 2103 for draft-ietf-httpbis/latest/p2-semantics.xml

Timestamp:

10/01/13 08:40:38 (9 years ago)

Author:

fielding@…

Message:

(editorial) further refine definition of DELETE to specify the universal definition first (independent of whether the resource allows GET), before specifying its potential effects

File:

• draft-ietf-httpbis/latest/p2-semantics.xml (modified) (1 diff)

draft-ietf-httpbis/latest/p2-semantics.xml

@@ -1490 +1490 @@
 <t>
    The DELETE method requests that the origin server remove the association
-   between the <x:ref>target resource</x:ref> and its current representations or
-   implementation. In effect, this method is similar to the rm command in
-   UNIX: it expresses a deletion operation on the URI mapping of the
-   origin server, rather than an expectation that the information be deleted.
-   The representations might or might not be destroyed by the origin server,
-   and the associated storage might or might not be reclaimed, depending
-   entirely on the nature of the resource and its implementation by the
-   origin server (which are beyond the scope of this specification).
+   between the <x:ref>target resource</x:ref> and its current functionality.
+   In effect, this method is similar to the rm command in UNIX: it expresses a
+   deletion operation on the URI mapping of the origin server, rather than an
+   expectation that the previously associated information be deleted.
+</t>
+<t>
+   If the target resource has one or more current representations, they might
+   or might not be destroyed by the origin server, and the associated storage
+   might or might not be reclaimed, depending entirely on the nature of the
+   resource and its implementation by the origin server (which are beyond the
+   scope of this specification). Likewise, other implementation aspects of a
+   resource might need to be deactivated or archived as a result of a DELETE,
+   such as database or gateway connections. In general, it is assumed that the
+   origin server will only allow DELETE on resources for which it has a
+   prescribed mechanism for accomplishing the deletion.
 </t>
 <t>