RE: [xml-dev] Rick Jelliffe quotable quote on the purpose of schemas

["Michael Kay" <mike@saxonica.com>]

> It's more like a classification thing. The structure 
> determines the category or "family" - eg it's a car. The 
> constraints determine the classification - it's a Toyota 
> Camry which can come in these colours only etc .... The 
> conforming instance defines the individual.

Sounds Aristotelian: Essence and accident?

Tricky ground this. We could spend the next 2500 years debating it.
Territory best not entered by those without formal training in metaphysics
(like me, who has read just about enough to know that here be dragons).

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/