Breaking the Lines: Adding Line Breaks to Your XSD Documentation
XML Schema Definition (XSD) files are essential for defining the structure and content of XML documents. While XSDs provide a strict framework for data, they can sometimes lack clarity when it comes to documentation. This is where the <xs:documentation> element comes in, offering a way to add descriptive text to your schema elements. However, formatting this documentation, especially adding line breaks, can be tricky.
The Problem:
You want to add explanatory text within <xs:documentation> tags in your XSD, but directly adding line breaks (\n) doesn't achieve the desired result. The output often appears as a single, unbroken line of text, making it difficult to read and understand.
The Solution:
To effectively add line breaks within <xs:documentation>, we can leverage the character entity, which represents a line break.
Example:
<xs:element name="product">
<xs:complexType>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element name="name" type="xs:string"/>
<xs:element name="description">
<xs:complexType>
<xs:simpleContent>
<xs:extension base="xs:string">
<xs:documentation>This is a description of the product.
It can be multiple lines long.
This line break makes it easier to read.</xs:documentation>
</xs:extension>
</xs:simpleContent>
</xs:complexType>
</xs:element>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:complexType>
</xs:element>
Explanation:
<xs:documentation>: This element is used to embed documentation within the schema. : This character entity represents a line break. By inserting it at the desired locations, you can create new lines within the documentation text.
Additional Considerations:
-
CDATA Sections: In certain cases, if you need to include special characters or escape sequences within your documentation, consider using a CDATA section:
<xs:documentation><![CDATA[This is a description with special characters like < and >. It can be multiple lines long. This line break makes it easier to read.]]></xs:documentation> -
Schema Validation: Remember that while the line breaks are crucial for readability, they do not affect the actual schema validation. The
xs:documentationelement itself is not part of the data structure but serves as a comment for developers and users.
Conclusion:
Adding line breaks to your XSD documentation is a simple yet powerful technique for enhancing readability and clarity. By utilizing the character entity, you can effectively format your documentation, improving the overall understandability of your schema.
Resources:
