Getting a leg up on structuring your XML
What started out as quiet rumblings years ago has escalated into full-scale conversations today. People have been singing its praises, and switching over in record numbers. So flexible... so nimble... so reliable... I am talking about XML, of course.
Making the decision to move your content over to an XML data structure is a great one. It truly is a flexible, nimble and reliable mark-up language that will empower users to truly maximize content and data to its fullest potential by realizing increases in workflow productivity, the repurposing of content to develop new revenue streams, and even the creation of entirely new products altogether. But committing to an XML format means defining a structure, organizing and tagging the data to get your desired output look and feel, and this can feel like a daunting task.
Never fear, CCC is here! Read on as Keith offers a handy tip for getting started with XML structuring...
Once you have decided to implement XML as a single-source data storage format you are faced with how to structure and organize your data content. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of implementing an XML strategy. There is a good news story, though: For many types of data you don’t have to start from scratch.
There are several web sites that compile lists of public-domain XML vocabularies (aka XML schemas). These schemas are typically constructed by committees composed of subject-matter experts from academic, industry and governmental institutions. Many such schemas are de facto industry standards. These schemas outline the physical structure of your XML documents and contain rules for data content, order, and quality (called restrictions or constraints).
You will often find a schema that can be used “as is” or otherwise provide a starting point for your own custom schema. Usually the vocabulary is more robust than needed, but it is a fairly simple process to trim the structure back to a more manageable set of elements to custom fit your needs. These professional-quality schemas can act as an excellent starting point for your structuring exercise and give you a quick leg up on the task of creating your own XML based data.
Here is a list of sites to check for sample schemas:
Please leave a comment below if you have found any schemas that you have found useful, or contact me directly if you have any questions about setting up your own customized schema.
Cheers,
Darryl