> I wrote xml-data schema and instances that are based on that
> schema, but I don't know how to combine them in order that the
> parser (i'm using the Microsoft parser which is supposed to know
> how to deal with schemas) will recognize that a schema is being
> used. Putting both the schema and the instances in one files is not
> good since the parser recognizes only one root. I don't know how to
> link the two parts if they are defined in different files (my
> application is not a web application). I can use DTD but the use of
> schemas is very useful in my case. I would appreciate any
> information I can get.
You can have the best of both worlds: define your document type using
any high-level schema language (it doesn't have to be XML-Data), then
compile the schema into a standard XML 1.0 DTD for parsing or
distribution. When you make any changes, make them to the high-level
original rather than to the DTD, then recompile.
This way, you can enjoy any advantages that the higher-level schema
language offers, but you are still interoperable with conformant XML
tools. You also have the advantage of being able to choose (or
invent) any schema language.
I can imagine specialised fields inventing their own abstract (and
much simpler) schema languages that deal with only a few high-level,
domain-specific units (like tasks or forms or financial tables) rather
than low-level elements and attributes. XML-Data will undoubtedly
satisfy some needs, there is probably not a one-size-fits-all solution
to schemas.
Has anyone written a compiler for XML-Data yet?
All the best,
David
--
David Megginson ak117@freenet.carleton.ca
Microstar Software Ltd. dmeggins@microstar.com
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/dmeggins/