XML-RPC and http

[Mark Baker]

Lucas Gonze wrote:
> 
> per the canon-quoting MB:
> > See section 9.1.1 of RFC 2616;
> >
> >    Naturally, it is not possible to ensure that the server does not
> >    generate side-effects as a result of performing a GET request; in
> >    fact, some dynamic resources consider that a feature. The important
> >    distinction here is that the user did not request the side-effects,
> >    so therefore cannot be held accountable for them.
> 
> The user's and server's internal states are encapsulated.  The user never
> requests side effects, only outputs.
> 
> near-universal developer disregard of the above section 9.1.1 suggests that this
> is like one of those conversations where you apologize or say "you don't look
> fat" and the other person says "you don't mean that": on a quantitative level
> it's a waste of time.

Developers cannot disregard that statement.  It's not possible.  It's
not up to developers to assign accountability.  That's something for the
law to determine.

MB