Abstract: A hierarchically structured electronic document includes a parent node, a first and a second child of the parent node. The first child is configured as a named role child, the named role child having a first child component, the named role child specifying a relationship between the first child component and the parent node. The second child is configured as an index role child and has a plurality of second child components. The index role child specifies that all second child components are index children. The second child components collectively define and are configured to be rendered in the order in which the second child components appear under the second child. Collisions between named role and index children are avoided as the document includes a role (either a name role or an index role) between the parent and each child of the parent that is at the same hierarchical level.

Abstract: Every attribute or property of an element in a declarative environment such as XML may be bound to an external data source or defaulted when binding fails to resolve. The failure to resolve the binding may be caused by an incorrect key or an unavailable or incorrect data source. The default attribute may be hard coded or may point to another data source where a default value of the attribute may be found.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for accounting for, and keeping track of, commodities which are gathered or harvested in one location and thereafter transported for delivery to another location. While the invention is applicable for use with a variety of commodities, the embodiment discussed concerns timber. It provides for a paperless process which accommodates the use by, and inputs from, various persons responsible for different steps in the process. It can be initiated by the timber owner and thereafter allows for the accumulation and recordation of pertinent information by other persons responsible for the various steps of timber identification, harvesting and delivery, such as the forester, loader, timber cutting crew chief, transporter, and destination purchaser. The method provides security, accountability, data entry, data retrieval, and reporting, with respect to commodity harvesting, transport, delivery, and receipt.