[OAI-implementers] error reporting

[Irina Dijour]

I have a small suggestion concerning error reporting.

We have several error codes in OAI 2.0 protocol ("badArgument",
"badResumptionToke" etc).
If I understand correctly, if none of these error codes fits for an error
that should be reported, 
the OAI data provider should return HTTP Error code "503 Service
unavailable".
1. If the OAI data provider uses HTTP Error code 503 it cannot specify what
exactly has happened.
    And sometimes it's useful.
2. There are situations when the OAI Data provider wants to report a
specific error for a specific record.
    I think that sending HTTP Error code 503 in this case is too general.

Therefore I propose to add additional error "unspecifiedError" (as it's done
in Z39.50 protocol). 
In the "error" element content OAI data provider may specify the error.


Irina

-----------------------------------
Irina Dijour
Software Development
Ex Libris ltd.
Malha Technology Park
Jerusalem 91481, Israel
Tel: +972-(0)2-6798-222  ext. 142
Fax: +972-(0)2-6798-634 
Irina.Dijour@exlibris.co.il