XML Schema

Introduction to XML Schema

XML Schema is an XML-based alternative to DTD.

An XML schema describes the structure of an XML document.

The XML Schema language is also referred to as XML Schema Definition (XSD).

---

What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

• HTML / XHTML
• XML and XML Namespaces
• A basic understanding of DTD

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

---

What is an XML Schema?

The purpose of an XML Schema is to define the legal building blocks of an XML document, just like a DTD.

An XML Schema:

• defines elements that can appear in a document
• defines attributes that can appear in a document
• defines which elements are child elements
• defines the order of child elements
• defines the number of child elements
• defines whether an element is empty or can include text
• defines data types for elements and attributes
• defines default and fixed values for elements and attributes

---

XML Schemas are the Successors of DTDs

We think that very soon XML Schemas will be used in most Web applications as a replacement for DTDs. Here are some reasons:

• XML Schemas are extensible to future additions
• XML Schemas are richer and more powerful than DTDs
• XML Schemas are written in XML
• XML Schemas support data types
• XML Schemas support namespaces

---

XML Schema is a W3C Recommendation

XML Schema became a W3C Recommendation 02. May 2001.

You can read more about the XML Schema standard in our W3C tutorial.