XSD vs XML

XSD vs XML | XSD stands for XML Schema Definition and it is a way to describe the structure of an XML document. It defines the set of rules for all the attributes and elements in an XML document. XSDs can also be used to generate XML documents. 

XML stands for Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules that governs the encoding of documents into an electronic format. It is independent of software as well as hardware. It enhances data sharing, platform independence, and increases the availability of Data.

XML defines the syntax of elements and attributes for structuring data in a well-formed document. Whereas XSD powers the extensibility in XML by enabling the user to define the vocabulary and grammar of the elements and attributes in a valid XML document.

There are many XML Schema languages for expressing constraints about XML documents and XSD is one of them. Other schema languages are- DTD, Relax-NG, Schematron, and e.t.c.

Simple XML example,

<student>
  <firstname>John</firstname>
  <lastname>Smith</lastname>
</student>

XSD for the above XML,

<xs:element name="student">
  <xs:complexType>
    <xs:sequence>
      <xs:element name="firstname" type="xs:string"/>
      <xs:element name="lastname" type="xs:string"/>
    </xs:sequence>
  </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>

In this XSD for the above XML

  • xs:element:- It defines an element.
  • xs:complexType:- Denotes it contains other elements.
  • xs:sequence:- It denotes child elements only appear in the order mentioned.
  • xs:simpleType:- Denotes they do not contain other elements.
  • type:- it defines the type of data string, decimal, integer, boolean, date, time, and e..t.c.
XML

Table for XSD vs XML

XSDXML
XSD stands for XML Schema Definition.XML Stands for Extensible Markup Language.
It specifies how to formally describe the elements in an XML document.XML is used to create and transfer data easily between incompatible systems.
The developers can use the XML parsers to parse the XSD documents and it will perform flawlessly, also the information that will be produced by the file will be correct.It is not possible because an XML document can contain elements that may not be recognized by the XSD parser.
It is one of the schema languages that are included in the XML. There are many XML Schema languages for expressing constraints about XML documents and XSD is one of them. Other schema languages are- DTD, Relax-NG, Schematron, and e.t.c.

Summary:- XML need XML schema languages for expressing constraints about XML documents. XSD is one of the  XML schema languages which specifies how to formally describe the elements in an XML document.

Also See:- XSD Vs DTD, XML Advantages and Disadvantages

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