Re: Attributes v Elements

[Iain W Fergusson <fergusson_iain@jpmorgan.com>]

>> Most times there is no definitive answer, it comes down to your
>> preference.  I would refer to the FAQ that Robin mentioned.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>This answer is completely bogus.

IMO there is no definitive answer.  Your suggestion is not definitive.
For one thing, it prevents full use of XML Schema.

><currency type="USDollar">
>>    10
>> </currency>
>
>You would be better off to use a more definitive description of what the
>monetary value is.   "USDollar" is really the value for "Currency".  Try
>something like this:
>
><Price currency="USD">10</Price>
>

In the above example <price> has to be described in XML Schema using a
<complexType>, because of the presence of the currency attribute.
There is then no way of constraining the contents of <price> to be a number.

If you need to validate that <price> is a number, it has to be a <simpleType>,
which cannot have attributes.


>Please never use your element example:
>
>"<currency>
>    <type>USDollar</type>
>    <value>10</value>
></currency>"
>
>The element "<type>" should not exist as such becuase it is an adjective
>describing currency.  You would probably not use the "<type>" element all by
>itself in your document becuase it is dependant.
>
>Bad example:
>

Good example - because <value> can be described using a <simpleType>, so can be
validated.

I'm not suggesting that XML Schema is perfect, just that there is no single
answer to
the attributes vs. elements questions that is right in all situations.

Regards,

Iain Fergusson
JP Morgan European Technology Centre.



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