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w3c / did-core

W3C Decentralized Identifier Specification v1.0
https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/
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Is this a bug in the spec? #647

Closed iherman closed 3 years ago

iherman commented 3 years ago

The spec says, in §3.2

A DID URL is a network location identifier for a specific resource. It can be used to identify things like DID subjects, verification methods, services, specific parts of a DID document, or other resources.

Without wanting to open a can of worms on identification, is it correct to say that DID URL-s can be used to identify a DID subject? I though that DID subjects are identified by DIDs not DID URLs.

(If this is indeed a bug, I am happy to submit a PR to remove this, but I wanted to be sure.)

peacekeeper commented 3 years ago

I don't think it's a bug, since a DID URL can consist of only a DID itself (without path, query, fragment), in which case I think it's correct to say that the DID URL can identify a DID subject.

iherman commented 3 years ago

I don't think it's a bug, since a DID URL can consist of only a DID itself (without path, query, fragment), in which case I think it's correct to say that the DID URL can identify a DID subject.

Sigh... in another universe I would have preferred to use a different syntax and not mix these two concepts as it is in the current document. I do believe that the current syntax and formulation is confusing...

But I will not lie down the road on this. Happy to close this if the current text reflects WG consensus.

jandrieu commented 3 years ago

I think Ivan is right on this one.

The DID identifies the DID subject.

A DID URL provides a means to interact with a resource associated with that subject.

The language cited should be changed.

Perhaps to something like

A DID URL is a network location identifier for a specific resource. It can be used to retrieve things like representations of DID subjects, verification methods, services, specific parts of a DID document, or other resources.

It is important to distinguish between URIs, which can be used to identify things, from URLs, which can be used to retrieve them. This paragraph is about the latter, not the former. While one can, of course, use any URL to identify something (thanks, RDF), the point of the DID-URL is about the "location" part, not the identifier part.

iherman commented 3 years ago

Created #655 with the proposed change of @jandrieu. Better continue the discussion there.

peacekeeper commented 3 years ago

I also agree with @jandrieu 's change.

iherman commented 3 years ago

Related #655 has been merged. This issue can be closed, @brentzundel @msporny