xml-dev - Re: Array content model

["Anders W. Tell" <anderst@toolsmiths.se>]

One way of looking at it is through OO lenses. In most OO languages and
practices
collections are a first class consideration, even in UML multiplicity is
modelled.
Since an XML stream is only an encoding of something and if this something is
based on a
OO model then collections may, IMO should, be explicitly represented in the XML
encoding.

There are at least three ways to encode an array *stereotype*:

1.
<items kind="C++ templates,STL">
  <item/>
</items>

2.
<collection kind="generic collection" length="1">
  <item/>
</collection>

3.
<array kind="generic array with relationship info">
  <array-member name="local name">
    <item/>
  </array-member>
</array>

The difference between 2. and 3. encoding *forms* is that in 3. relationship
related information may be encoded in the <array-member> element.
This means that all contained elements DTD or schema does not need to be changed

depending on its container and the relationship between them.

Simple UML model: <http://xiop.sourceforge.net/doc/images/ContainerRC.jpg>

/Anders
--
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/  Financial Toolsmiths AB  /
/  Anders W. Tell           /
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