517.  XML Schema

Rev. 1.0.6

 

This course is now available directly from our partner, Capstone Courseware.

This course gives the student who knows the fundamentals of XML a detailed introduction to the XML Schema standard for defining document type information.

 

The first module introduces the new XML Schema recommendation.  Students review the shortcomings of the DTD for expressing type information, and learn how to use XML Schema to create strict document models.  Schema data types and structures are studied, allowing precise grammar and validation rules to be defined for document content.

 

A second module offers intermediate-to-advanced instruction in effective use of the new XML Schema recommendation.  Students build skills in use of keys and key references to associate elements based on key fields;  cover complex-type extension;  use of multiple namespaces and schema;  and finally a chapter in best-practices in schema design.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

·         Develop XML Schema to express precise type information for an XML document.

·         Associate schema with XML instance documents.

·         Validate instance documents against associated schema.

·         Define simple types, and use value restrictions and enumerations to constrain values.

·         Define list types and union types.

·         Create complex types, including simple types and other complex types, and empty- and mixed-content types.

·         Define element and attribute groups for better reuse and more maintainable schema.

·         Associate elements of different types using keys and key references.

·         Create derived simple and complex types using restriction and/or extension.

·         Develop hierarchies of reusable complex types using type extension.

·         Populate multiple namespaces using schema, and import and use those namespaces in valid instance documents.

·         Design schema that maximize validation capabilities and type reuse.

·         Use XSLT as an additional stage of document validation, to catch patterns that XML Schema cannot be used to express.

 

Course Duration:  2 days

 

Prerequisites:  A basic knowledge of XML, such as provided by Object Innovations Course 501.

 

Module 1:  Introduction to XML Schema

 

1.      Getting Started with XML Schema

What is an XML schema?

Schemas vs. DTDs

Structure of a Schema

Associating Schema with Documents

Types of Types

Defining Elements

Defining Complex Types

Validation

 

2.      Simple Types

Simple and Atomic Types

Built-In Types

Primitives

Numeric Derived Types

String Derived Types

Simple Type Restriction

Facets

Value Ranges

Enumerations

Patterns

Lists

Unions

Nillable Values

 

3.      Complex Types

Model Groups

Sequences, Conjunctions, and Disjunctions

Particles

Occurrence Constraints

Global and Local Definitions

Defining Attributes

Empty, Any, and Mixed Content

Model Group Definitions

Attribute Group Definitions

Annotations

 

Module 2:  Advanced XML Schema

 

1.      Keys and Key References

Schema as Object Models

UML for XML

Composition

Association

Identity Constraints

Asserting Uniqueness

Keys and Key References

Controlling Association Cardinality

 

2.      Reusing Schema Types

Type Specialization

Extending Complex Types

Using Extended Types

Derivation by Restriction

Abstract Types

Substitution Groups

“Complete” Specialization (The final Attribute)

 

3.      Namespaces and Schema

Using Namespaces in Documents

Populating a Namespace

Qualified and Unqualified Locals

Multiple Namespaces in Schema

Importing and Including Schema

Multiple Schema per Namespace

Validating by Namespace (Wildcards)

 

4.      Using Schema in XML Applications

Schema Design Issues

Type Granularity

Ease of Parsing, Transformation, Presentation and Maintenance

Mapping from Object Models

Mapping from Database Schema

Foreign-Key Relationships

XSLT for Validation

Application Validation

 

Appendix A.  Learning Resources

 

Appendix B.  Quick Reference: W3C Namespaces

 

 

System Requirements

 

Software for this course can be installed and run on Windows or Linux systems.  A few small packages of XML tools must be installed for parsing and schema validation – these require a Java Runtime Environment, version 1.4.2.

 

Hardware requirements are not great;  a good minimal system for this course would have a Pentium 500MHz or equivalent CPU, 128meg of RAM and at least 50 megabytes of free disk space for tools installation.