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   Re: [xml-dev] Re: 3 possible approaches for representing concepts

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Thanks Len. I should have mentioned that this is a hypothetical example
that is illustrative of the case. But I can tell you that any
calculation would probably be done before the XML document is created
based on user input (i.e. it would be done within a form).

"Bullard, Claude L (Len)" wrote:
> 
> That is a bit different.  Is this a report in which the
> FinalEstimatedAmount is calculated?  Three is tighter
> and a bit less "conceptual" and that can make it a better
> choice depending on how well it fits into the categories
> I mentioned in the last post.
> 
> len
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chiusano Joseph [mailto:chiusano_joseph@bah.com]
> 
> Clarification: There was some stray text at the end, here are the 3
> approaches:
> 
> APPROACH #1: Element-based approach
> 
> - One long-named element that represents the entire "concept":
> 
> <CurrentYearBudgetFinalEstimatedAmount>999.99</CurrentYearBudgetFinalEstimatedAmount>
> 
> APPROACH #2: Attribute-based approach
> 
> - One short- and simply-named element that represents the most basic
> concept, with multiple attributes to "fill in the meaning":
> 
> <Amount yearType="CurrentYear" amountType="Budget"
> finalIndicator="Final" estimateIndicator="Estimated">999.99</Amount>
> 
> APPROACH #3: Combined approach
> 
> - One more "fully-named" element with several attributes to "fill in the
> meaning":
> 
> <FinalEstimatedAmount yearType="CurrentYear" amountType="Budget">
> 999.99</FinalEstimatedAmount>
> 
> Thanks!
> Joe
> Joseph Chiusano wrote:
> >
> > I would like to please solicit some quick feedback if possible regarding
> > an approach to using elements and/or attributes to represent concepts in
> > an XML document. I am having a "healthy debate" with a "colleague" on
> > how much "meaning" should be placed into an element name, and how much
> > (if any) should be "filled out" by attributes.
> >
> > Below I've identified 3 approaches for representing a concept called
> > (pipes separate the "subconcepts"):
> >
> > CurrentYear|Budget|Final|Estimated|Amount
> >
> > A "related" element in the same XML document might be called (note only
> > the first subconcept has been changed):
> >
> > PriorYear|Budget|Final|Estimated|Amount
> >
> > I am interested in feedback regarding which of the 3 approaches below
> > folks have used (whether it was an XML schema or DTD), and also which
> > may be best for both constructing an XML document based on database
> > contents, and parsing an XML document and committing the contents to a
> > database. I am aware of all the "issues" surrounding use of attributes
> > (order not enforced, cannot have duplicate names, namespace handling,
> > etc.), so my inquiry is outside of those. My personal experience tells
> > me that approach #2 (attribute-based approach) is not best practice, and
> > there *may* be some issues with tools.
> >
> > And here they are:
> >
> > APPROACH #1: Element-based approach
> >
> > - One long-named element that represents the entire "concept":
> >
> > <CurrentYearBudgetFinalEstimatedAmount>999.99</CurrentYearBudgetFinalEstimatedAmount>
> >
> > APPROACH #2: Attribute-based approach
> >
> > - One short- and simply-named element that represents the most basic
> > concept, with multiple attributes to "fill in the meaning":
> >
> > <Amount yearType="CurrentYear" amountType="Budget"
> > finalIndicator="Final" estimateIndicator="Estimated">999.99</Amount>
> >
> > APPROACH #3: Combined approach
> >
> > - One more "fully-named" element with several attributes to "fill in the
> > meaning":
> >
> > <FinalEstimatedAmount yearType="CurrentYear" amountType="Budget">
> > 999.99</FinalEstimatedAmount>
> >
> > <CurrentYearBudgetFinalEstimatedAmount
> > core:amountTypeID="Federal">999</core:EstimatedUnobligatedAmount>
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your feedback.
> >
> > Joe Chiusano
> > Booz | Allen | Hamilton
begin:vcard 
n:Chiusano;Joseph
tel;work:(703) 902-6923
x-mozilla-html:FALSE
url:www.bah.com
org:Booz | Allen | Hamilton;IT Digital Strategies Team
adr:;;8283 Greensboro Drive;McLean;VA;22012;
version:2.1
email;internet:chiusano_joseph@bah.com
title:Senior Consultant
fn:Joseph M. Chiusano
end:vcard




 

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