What is the use of non-leafElement' VALUE ?

["Saha Rabindra N" <saha.rn@mellon.com>]

Title: What is the use of non-leafElement' VALUE ?

Hi,
  I have one generic question on XML structure [XML element].
If an XML element represents an object then element's attributes would be properties of that object.
Then any subelement [be it leaf or non-leaf] would represent the hierarchy of the objects [containment].
If the element is a leaf node then that element's value will be meaning full.
BUT if the element is not a leaf node then what is the BUSINESS/Real-life meaning of having value in that element ?
My understanding is that an element's attributes and its sub-elements are enough to represent an object.

Example :
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<employmentDetails>
 Some value
<EmployerID>097</EmployerID>
<EmploymentStatus>Active</EmploymentStatus>
<AnnualCompensation>$100000</AnnualCompensation>
</employmentDetails>

What is the business meaning of allowing element value for non-leaf element in XML W3C standards.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts/inputs/ideas.

Regards,
RNS

 

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