These features are all in the EXPath binary module -- see http://expath.org/modules/binary/ -- which I think is supported in those products that are implementing the 4.0 specifications. We could consider integrating this module into the main specifications, but I'm not sure whether the editorial effort in doing so would achieve any practical benefits. Other than, perhaps, making the specs more visible to people who haven't come across them!

One think we perhaps do need to add, I think, is a function to read a binary resource. That's currently available in the EXPath file module, but we certainly don't want to bring in the whole of the file module because many of the functions have side-effects and it's therefore very difficult to define clean semantics for them.

Thank you very much, it's a fair point. I think adding a direct link to the EXPath binary module (maybe even as optional feature) will improve the visibility sufficiently - it definitely slipped under my radar, it's been a relatively long time since I've last looked at those modules.

One think we perhaps do need to add, I think, is a function to read a binary resource.

I’ve updated the title of the issue to reflect this requirement (whatever the name will be called).

As indicated in #748 (comment), we should clarify if this function can be nondeterministic.

I‘ve added the »Propose for V4.0« label: Function such as fn:parse-html are able to process xs:base64Binary, and others might follow (see #748), so we should have a function for generating such data (apart from xs:base64Binary(...)).

Some related discussion at #414 , concerning detecting availability of a binary resource, and getting it.

The issues discussed here are also discussed in #1127 which appears to superscede this one.

The CG agreed to close this issue without further action at meeting 081

In writing up a proposal for this, I note that there is confusion between the specs about the Static Base URI and the Executable (or dynamic) base URI. I propose to pick up what XQuery §2.2.1 and §2.2.2 say about this and apply it to the other specs.