XML schemas provide an alternative to DTDs for defining XML document structure and vocabulary. Schemas define a language through elements and datatypes. Unlike DTDs, schemas use XML for their own definition and support features like namespaces, inheritance, and data typing. When using a schema, XML documents must reference it to validate their structure and content.

1. XML SchemasCIS-189

2. Alternative to DTD’s as way to define structureDefining a language (vocabulary)Structure may be also referred to as vocabularyEnsures that data matches specificationsServes as basis for other XML-related technologiesXML Schemas

3. Use XML for definitionDoesn’t have separate structure like DTD’sSchema must be well-formedProvides for built-in and user-defined data typesCan be easily reusedSupports concepts such as inheritanceOne object is based on anotherA definition may be reused and modified without starting from scratch each timeWorking with Schemas

4. Support World Wide Web Namespace recommendationsA namespace allows the same name (data type/definition) to be used in different Schemas and properly understoodA course may be defined as department, course number, title, credits and prerequisites for the College CatalogA course for grading may be defined as department, course number and credits for a grading applicationUsing namespaces allows both definitions to be used, by specifying if working with a course defined for the catalog or gradingSchemas and Namespaces

5. Schema file uses an .xsd extensionRoot element is the schemaCan nest all elements within the schemaEverything is hierarchicalORCan have multiple elements as child elements of the schema rootAllows use of a definition any place in the document (data) fileElements which are child elements of schema are globalCreating Schemas

6. Allows more specificity than DTD’sCan specify dates, numbers, rangesDatatypes fall into two categories:Simple deals with basic valuesComplex describes more intricate values or structuresSchema Datatypes

7. Simple data type is about text, numbers, dateSometime referred to as “primitives”Data types built in to Schema vocabulary (and related elements, attributes) are in the XML Schema namespaceNeed reference to namespace to have valid XML specified (where to find the defined type)Elements that are Simple Datatypes don’t have attributesIncluding an attribute makes an element ComplexSimple Datatypes

8. StringBooleanNumbersIntegerDecimalFloatDoubleCustom (simpleType)Date/timeTimeTimeInstantDurationDateMonthYearCenturyRecurringDateRecurringDaySimple Types

9. <?xml version=“1.0”?><xsd:schemaxmlns:xsd=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema”> <xsd:element name=“department” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“number” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“title” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“credits” type=“xsd:integer”/></schema>Schema Defining a Course Using Simple Typesxmlns:xsd= specifies where the namespace can be foundxsd: specifies the namespace where the definition existsAssign attribute values to create the definition of an element in your vocabulary

10. The simpleType allows customization of base typesCan create limits on valuesSpecify rangesSpecify listsDegrees is a simple type, based on string:<xsd:simpleType=“Degrees”> <xsd:restriction base=“xsd:string”> <xsd:enumeration value=“AA” /> <xsd:enumeration value=“AS” /> </xsd: restriction></xsd:simpleType>Defining (Simple) Datatypes

11. Complex types allows combination of different elements and specification of order, new data typesCan create an element Course which is comprised of simple typesA valid Course must have department, number, title and credits elements in order:<xsd:element name=“course”> <xsd:complexType> <xsd:sequence> <xsd:element name=“department” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“number” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“title” type=“xsd:string”/> <xsd:element name=“credits” type=“xsd:integer”/> </xsd:sequence> </xsd:complexType></xsd:element>ComplexDatatypes

12. When using a schema, need to create a reference from data (.xml) fileUse either the schemaLocation or noNamespaceSchemaLocation attribute of the root element<course xmlns:xsi=http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance xsi:noNamespaceShemaLocation=“course.xsd”>Using a Schema

13. Creating a simple typeA phone number is text, up to 20 characters<xs:simpleType name="PhoneSimpleType“> <xs:restrictionbase="xs:string“> <xs:maxLength value="20" /> </xs:restriction></xs:simpleType>Book Code – Employees.xsd

14. Using a simple type:The element homephone uses the simple type “PhoneSimpleType” to limit phone numbers to a maximum of 20 characters<xs:element name="homephone" type="PhoneSimpleType" />Book Code – Employees.xsd 2

15. Employees is a complex type made of employee, which uses the EmployeeType<xs:element name="employees“> <xs:complexType> <xs:sequence> <xs:element name="employee" type="EmployeeType" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded" /> </xs:sequence></xs:complexType></xs:element>Book Code – Employees.xsd 3

16. Setting the root element for a schema<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><xs:schemaattributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">Book Code – Employees.xsd 4xs becomes “shorthand” to refer to the Internet location for definitions; following element definitions all include that reference (xs)