extensibility

Content Guidance within the Tag and Edit area


Tag Area Content Guidance

When creating an XML document based on a schema, the Tag area facilitates data entry into the Edit area by providing a guide to the type of data that is required by the schema.  When you mouse over the element and attribute tags appearing in the the Tag area, a tool tip is created which describes the type of data that should be entered in the Edit area.  For example, in Figure A, the tool tip indicates that the content for the quantity element should be entered as an int (integer)  to conform to the schema.  

Figure A - Tag Area Tool Tip

Notice the small blue icons which appear next to the elements in Figure A.  These icon are used for drag and drop editing, but also indicate what can be done in the Edit area.  A blue diamond in front of an element indicates that the element contains elements only. (See the item element in Figure A.)  A blue square indicates that an element contains character data which can be entered in the Edit area. (See the qty element in Figure A.) 

Edit Area Content Guidance

When creating a document based upon a schema, elements in the Tag area which contain only other elements are marked by content hints in the Edit area.  The content hints describe the sequence and frequency in which the children elements can appear.  

Whenever possible, the Edit area also provides content guidance for attributes.  For example, in Figure B  the element price has an attribute called markUp.  The schema defines markUp as an enumeration and provides a set of possible choices.  XML Instance displays these choices in a drop down box.  

Figure B - Attribute choices as defined by schema

Copyright 2000 Extensibility, Inc.

Suite 250, 200 Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516