Section 3.1.2.3. Name spaces

The allocation of special prefixes as in Sections 3.1.2.1 and 3.1.2.2 above is a basic form of name-space allocation, because it gives authors the freedom to reproduce portions of otherwise standard data names within their own private constructions. This raises the wider question of whether a complete formalism for name-space allocation is needed. That is, the same data name might appear with different meanings in different files, provided it was clear which of the alternative definitions must be used in each case. For now, the decision has been taken not to permit the use of the same data names with different meanings in different contexts. This is to enforce uniformity of definition across the whole field of crystallography as far as is possible. This policy might be reviewed in the future if similar formalisms to CIF are created in related disciplines.