Re: [xml-dev] Use xsd to specify multiple instances of existing element

["Pete Cordell" <petexmldev@codalogic.com>]

Original Message From: "Michael Kay"

>> I think XSD 1.1 allows some of the solution.  But it seems
>> that assertions are not allowed on elements
>
> Assertions are defined on types, rather than elements, but that just means
> you need to assign the element a distinguishing type.

So, since you can't have two consecutive elements with the same name, but
different types (Have I got that right?), you'd put the assertion on the
parent type definition - right?

And rather than the parents assertion trying to describe a complete content
model of its children, you could use alternatives within the same
complexType for defining the sub-types, and then hopefully define a simpler
assertion in the parent to ensure that the appropriate sub-type has been
chosen.  For example, in abbreviated XSD notation:

<xs:element name='entry' type='entryType'>

<xs:complexType name='entryType'>
    <xs:assert test="category[1]/@scheme = 'http://www.dig.com/privacy'"/>
    <xs:assert
            test="category[2]/@scheme = 'http://www.dig.com/fishingType'"/>
    <xs:sequence>
        <xs:element name='category' type='categoryType'>
        <xs:element name='category' type='categoryType'>
        ...

<xs:complexType name='categoryType'>
    <xs:alternative test=""@scheme = 'http://www.dig.com/privacy'"
                        type="categoryPrivacyType">
    <xs:alternative test=""@scheme = 'http://www.dig.com/fishingType'"
                        type="categoryFishingType">
    ...

Seem reasonable?

Pete Cordell
Codalogic Ltd
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