Shortnames

This page is to record our policy for CSS module shortnames going forward and a plan for converting all existing shortnames to match this scheme. A shortname is used as the filename on /TR and dev.w3.org and also as the [spec-code] in www-style discussions. The existing scheme was set up in the 20th century, before the concept of independently-levelling CSS modules was created.

Each module will have an unversioned shorname on /TR, which aliases to the latest level. This is identical to the module shortname, except without the number, e.g. css-transitions. (We already have this with /TR/selectors.)

Issue: Do we want to set this up on dev.w3.org as well? As alias or redirect?

Issue: At what point in the process does the shortname move over to the next level?

• Option A = CR
• Option B = Snapshot acceptance
• Option C = REC

Each module will have a versioned shortname on /TR, for accessing a specific level of the module. Currently we use cssN-foo, but don't do this correctly for Level 1 modules like Flexbox.

Follow cssN-foo pattern. Fix Level 1 specs by

• Republishing at css1-foo
• Setting up a temporary redirect from css3-foo to css1-foo until the module reaches level 3.
• Unsolicited feedback from several authors indicates that this pattern is confusing, because of the connection with general “CSS3” messaging.

Follow css-fooN pattern. Fix all specs by

• Moving all specs to css-fooN
• Setting up permanent redirects from css3-foo to css-fooN
• This model is already used by Selectors, and several WebApps specs.

Slight variation on Option B: follow css-foo-N pattern. Fix all specs by

• Moving all specs to css-foo-N
• Setting up permanent redirects from css3-foo to css-foo-N
• This might be more readable.