Hi,
In my schema, I have an “optional” element
that looks like this:
<xs:element
name="DESTINATION_SYSTEM_ID" minOccurs=”0”>
<xs:simpleType>
<xs:restriction base="xs:string">
<xs:enumeration
value="TRUST_PROD"/>
<xs:enumeration
value="TRUST_TEST"/>
<xs:enumeration
value="PENSION_PROD"/>
<xs:enumeration
value="PENSION_TEST"/>
</xs:restriction>
</xs:simpleType>
</xs:element>
My instance document will fail validation if the
element is provided without any data, as in…
<DESTINATION_SYSTEM_ID/>
However, the instance document will pass
validation if the element is omitted altogether.
I am hearing that it is best practice to
allow both scenarios – the “empty element” and the “omitted
element” – in documents that are provided. Do I need to tell the company that is
sending the file to omit the element if it doesn’t have data, or can I
restructure the schema to only validate elements that have data?
Any input is appreciated!
Marc Lawson
