[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message] Re: Attributes v Elements
> Most times there is no definitive answer, it comes down to your > preference. I would refer to the FAQ that Robin mentioned. >>>>>>>>>>> This answer is completely bogus. No one has posted an easy guide for this so I will forward a quick explanation then I do suggest Robin's references as the definitive guide. An Element is used for capturing a Noun, capable of standing alone as a noun. An Attribute is an Adjective, describing something unique about the instance of the noun (element) and would not normally appear in your document by itself without the associated noun (element). For instance, using your currency example, your first example has two adjectives together as both an element and an attribute: <currency type="USDollar"> > 10 > </currency> You would be better off to use a more definitive description of what the monetary value is. "USDollar" is really the value for "Currency". Try something like this: <Price currency="USD">10</Price> Currency is really an adjective describing something unique about the price that users of your XML would find useful. The "<Price>" element is more descriptive of what the PCDATA represents. Please never use your element example: "<currency> <type>USDollar</type> <value>10</value> </currency>" The element "<type>" should not exist as such becuase it is an adjective describing currency. You would probably not use the "<type>" element all by itself in your document becuase it is dependant. Bad example: If you have time to do so, a good book on UML would help. Duane Nickull CTO, XML Global Technologies ************************************************* http://www.xmlglobal.com *************************************************
|
PURCHASE STYLUS STUDIO ONLINE TODAY!Purchasing Stylus Studio from our online shop is Easy, Secure and Value Priced! Download The World's Best XML IDE!Accelerate XML development with our award-winning XML IDE - Download a free trial today! Subscribe in XML format
|