This document discusses the rules and structure of well-formed XML documents. It explains that XML files must comply with defined rules to be parsed properly. These rules include having a single root element, matching start and end tags, unique element names, and maintaining whitespace. The document also covers using attributes to include additional data in name-value pairs within elements. Comments, declarations, and processing instructions are also described as optional components that can provide metadata and processing information.

1. Elements and AttributesCIS-189

2. Complies with rules Rules allow easy transfer and read of data independent of platform, applicationA Parserreads XML fileParsers typically run as a service to another applicationA file that doesn’t comply with rules has afatal error,and the parsercannot continueBy definition, a file that isn’t well formed has a fatal errorAny violation of rules is an errorWell-Formed XML

3. Start tag must have an end tag or be self-closingTags cannot overlapMust have one – and only one – root elementElement names obey naming rulesXML is case-sensitiveWhitespace is maintained in PCDATAWhitespace isn’t stripped out or ignored“PCDATA” = plain character data or parsed character dataWell Formed XML

4. An element begins with start tag and includes everything through end tagName is an element:<name>Dave</name>Person is an element:<person><name>Dave</name></person>Elements Revisited

5. Element name can include a space after the nameElement cannot have a space at beginning of start tagElement name must begin with letters or dashAfter the first character, numbers, hyphens, periods are acceptableCannot use spaces or: (colon) in namesColon is reserved for special usesXML cannot be used as the first 3 letters of a name (Upper, lower or mixed case)Naming Elements

6. CDATA refers to character dataValues that are treated as those charactersPCDATA refers to parsed character dataValues that are translated for a specific meaning or purposeWhitespace is treated differently than HTMLMaintainedCarriage return and linefeed characters are both treated as single linefeed by parserWorking with Data

7. Provide another way to represent valuesDefined within the start tag of an elementWork in a name/value pairMust include both a name and value for a valid statement (an empty string is a valid value)Value must be enclosed in single or double quotesOpening quote must be same as closing (can’t pair a single quote and double quote)Be consistent for ease of coding, reading, and maintenance, using all single or all double quotesAttributes

8. Attribute names must conform to same rules as element namesStart with letter or dashCan use numbers, hyphens, periods after the first characterName of each attribute must be unique within an elementAttribute Names

9. <person id=“1”> <firstname>Dave</firstname> <lastname suffix=“Jr.”>Smith</lastname></person>Sample Attributes

10. Elements can be more complexCan include child elements if neededAttributes are about a single valueAttributes can simplify logicCan avoid or reduce nestingCan simplify logicChoice of element or attribute most often simply a design choice, preferenceUsing Attributes and Elements

11. Comments are used to documentSimilar to HTML <!-- this is a comment -->Comments cannot exist within a tagInclude comments in your codeName, assignment/exercise, dateDescription of structure, logic, referencesComments

12. Provide information to aid the processing of the file<? XML version=“1.0”?>If include XML declaration must be first entryCannot have any character preceding the open tagIf include XML declaration must have at least the versionHave versions 1.0, 1.1XML Declarations

13. Optional settings are encoding, standaloneEncoding specifies which character set is being used (how characters are represented)Standalone tells the parser if document is complete by itself, or relies on another fileOptional XML Declarations

14. Processing instructions are for consuming applicationNot used by XML parserIncludes information/commands that application needs to complete some task <? Statement ?>Processing Instructions

15. Some symbols have special meaningLess than (<)Greater than (>)Ampersand (&)Cannot use these characters directly unless wrapped in a CDATA sectionIf need single symbol can substitute&lt for <, &gt for >, &amp for & Special Characters