problem compiling xsd with xs:choice node

[Sergey Poberezovskiy]

Hi,

As part of my schema I need to ensure that at least one of two fields have
values. I defined my schema as follows:
....
<xs:choice>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:choice>
....
<xs:element name="el1" type="xs:string "/>
<xs:element name="el2" type="xs:string "/>

Schema compiles just fine, but XmlValidatingRe ader validation fails when

....
<el1>value</el1>
<el2>value</el2>
....
is found in the document. (XmlSpy validates the document without errors).

Now, two questions:
- whether the schema I used is the most efficient way to solve my problem
(ensure that at least one out of two elements is specified)?
- if the schema I used is a valid choice, then show come the .Net validation
fails and how to make it work?

TIA.

P.S. I hope that there is a better way to ensure that at least 1 out of N
elements is specified, as in another document I need to do 1 out of 3, but I
take 1 step at a time...

[Martin Honnen]

Sergey Poberezovskiy wrote:

<xs:choice>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:choice>

Doesn't
<xs:choice maxOccurs="unbo unded">
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:choice>
suffice for what you want?
--

Martin Honnen --- MVP XML
http://JavaScript.FAQTs.com/

[Sergey Poberezovskiy]

Martin,

that would be too easy:
I have two elements and no more than one of each can be present (both is OK)
but at least one should be specified.

"Martin Honnen" wrote:

Sergey Poberezovskiy wrote:

<xs:choice>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:choice>

Doesn't
<xs:choice maxOccurs="unbo unded">
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:choice>
suffice for what you want?
--

Martin Honnen --- MVP XML
http://JavaScript.FAQTs.com/

[Stan Kitsis [MSFT]]

Unfortunately what you want to do is not easy using xsd. Depending on what
your requirements are, you might be able to use <xs:all> or an unbounded
choice. If this doesn't solve your problem, then you will have to expand
everything.

The schema fragment you've posted is invalid - it violates UPA:

A content model must be formed such that during validation of an element
information item sequence, the particle contained directly, indirectly or
implicitly therein with which to attempt to validate each item in the
sequence in turn can be uniquely determined without examining the content or
attributes of that item, and without any information about the items in the
remainder of the sequence.

In your particular case, when el1 appears in the XML document, it is
imposible to tell whether it is the first el1 from the choice or the one
from the sequence. Therefore, the validating reader cannot determine
whether it should be followed by el2 or not.

--
Stan Kitsis
Program Manager, XML Technologies
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
"Sergey Poberezovskiy" <Se************ *****@discussio ns.microsoft.co m> wrote
in message news:AC******** *************** ***********@mic rosoft.com...

Hi,

As part of my schema I need to ensure that at least one of two fields have
values. I defined my schema as follows:
...
<xs:choice>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:choice>
...
<xs:element name="el1" type="xs:string "/>
<xs:element name="el2" type="xs:string "/>

Schema compiles just fine, but XmlValidatingRe ader validation fails when

...
<el1>value</el1>
<el2>value</el2>
...
is found in the document. (XmlSpy validates the document without errors).

Now, two questions:
- whether the schema I used is the most efficient way to solve my problem
(ensure that at least one out of two elements is specified)?
- if the schema I used is a valid choice, then show come the .Net
validation
fails and how to make it work?

TIA.

P.S. I hope that there is a better way to ensure that at least 1 out of N
elements is specified, as in another document I need to do 1 out of 3, but
I
take 1 step at a time...

[Sergey Poberezovskiy]

Stan,

What I need to do is to put an insurance claim form into xsd schema. They
have two fields on the form and at least one has to be specified, while both
is still possible. Is that such an uncommon case that there is no simple
solution?!?

I have only started using xsds and not sure what unbounded choice is. And
what if someone need to select at least one out of three or four? -
describing all possible combinations will expand exponentially.

Please HELP!!!

"Stan Kitsis [MSFT]" wrote:

Unfortunately what you want to do is not easy using xsd. Depending on what
your requirements are, you might be able to use <xs:all> or an unbounded
choice. If this doesn't solve your problem, then you will have to expand
everything.

The schema fragment you've posted is invalid - it violates UPA:

A content model must be formed such that during validation of an element
information item sequence, the particle contained directly, indirectly or
implicitly therein with which to attempt to validate each item in the
sequence in turn can be uniquely determined without examining the content or
attributes of that item, and without any information about the items in the
remainder of the sequence.

In your particular case, when el1 appears in the XML document, it is
imposible to tell whether it is the first el1 from the choice or the one
from the sequence. Therefore, the validating reader cannot determine
whether it should be followed by el2 or not.

--
Stan Kitsis
Program Manager, XML Technologies
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
"Sergey Poberezovskiy" <Se************ *****@discussio ns.microsoft.co m> wrote
in message news:AC******** *************** ***********@mic rosoft.com...

Hi,

As part of my schema I need to ensure that at least one of two fields have
values. I defined my schema as follows:
...
<xs:choice>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
<xs:sequence>
<xs:element ref="el1"/>
<xs:element ref="el2"/>
</xs:sequence>
</xs:choice>
...
<xs:element name="el1" type="xs:string "/>
<xs:element name="el2" type="xs:string "/>

Schema compiles just fine, but XmlValidatingRe ader validation fails when

...
<el1>value</el1>
<el2>value</el2>
...
is found in the document. (XmlSpy validates the document without errors).

Now, two questions:
- whether the schema I used is the most efficient way to solve my problem
(ensure that at least one out of two elements is specified)?
- if the schema I used is a valid choice, then show come the .Net
validation
fails and how to make it work?

TIA.

P.S. I hope that there is a better way to ensure that at least 1 out of N
elements is specified, as in another document I need to do 1 out of 3, but
I
take 1 step at a time...