XML Schema

The purpose of a schema is to define a class of XML documents, and so the term"instance document" is often used to describe an XML document that conforms to a particular schema. The schema language, which is itself represented in XML 1.0 and uses namespaces, substantially reconstructs and considerably extends the capabilities found in XML 1.0 document type definitions (DTDs). The XML Schema specification addresses several topics relevant to users of XML:* Primitive Data Typing* Structural Schemas* ConformanceThe XML Schema specification is provided in three parts:XML Schema Part 0: Primer is a non-normative document intended to provide an easily readable description of the XML Schema facilities, and is oriented towards quickly understanding how to create schemas using the XML Schema language.The purpose of XML Schema Part 1: Structures is to define the nature of XML schemas and their component parts, provide an inventory of XML markup constructs with which to represent schemas, and define the application of schemas to XML documents.XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes discusses datatypes that can be used in an XML Schema.

---

Access the specification ... ... XML Schema Part 0: Primer ... XML Schema Part 1: Structures ... XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes