XML Schema

To describe the structure of an XML document, similar to a DTD, an XML Schema is used. A DTD or Document Type Definition is also used to define the structure and the legal elements and attributes of an XML document. A “Well Formed” XML document is the one with correct syntax, while an XML document validated against an XML Schema is both “Well Formed” and “Valid”.

XML Schema:

An XML-based alternative to DTD is what an XML Schema can be simply understood as.

Example: XML Document

Sapna
Tom
Meeting
Meeting on Monday Morning at 9 AM.

Example:

Explanation:

Interpretation of the above Schema:

• <xs:element name=”note”>: Used to define the element called “note”.
• <xs:complexType>: Used to define that the “note” element is a complex type.
• <xs:sequence>: Used to define that the complex type is a sequence of elements.
• <xs:element name=”to” type=”xs:string”>: Used to define that the element “to” is of type string (text).
• <xs:element name=”from” type=”xs:string”>: Used to define that the element “from” is of type string.
• <xs:element name=”heading” type=”xs:string”>: Used to define that the element “heading” is of type string.
• <xs:element name=”body” type=”xs:string”>: Used to define that the element “body” is of type string.

Advantages of XML Schemas over DTD:

• XML Schemas are written in XML.
• XML Schemas are extensible to additions.
• XML Schemas support data types.
• XML Schemas support namespaces.

Why Use an XML Schema?

The XML files with XML Schema can carry a description of its format. Along with verifying data, independent groups of people can also agree on a standard for interchanging data with XML Schema.

XML Schemas Support Data Types:

The support for data types is one of the greatest advantages of XML Schemas because of the below reasons:

• Easy to describe document content.
• Easy to define restrictions on data.
• Easy to validate the correctness of data.
• Easy to convert data between different data types.

XML Schemas use XML Syntax:

The XML Schemas are written in XML and that is another great advantage of XML Schemas because of the below reasons:

• No need to learn a new language.
• The XML editor can be used to edit the Schema files.
• The XML parser can be used to parse the Schema files.
• The Schemas can be manipulated with the XML DOM.
• The Schemas can be transformed with XSLT.