Recursive elements in XML. How do i create a XSD for this?

[indyanguy]

Hello,

I am trying to create a XML schema to validate a XML document. The XML document has recursive <Section> elements (as shown below). Can someone help me create the XSD for the recursive part (Section One and the children)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<MenuHelp sectionHeading="" menuSpace="">
<Description>></Description>
<Sections>
<Section name="Application Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code="">
<Section name="Section One Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code="">
<Section name="Section One SubHelp" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code="">
<Section name="Section One SubSubHelp" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code="">
<Section name="SubSubSubHelp " url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code=""/>
</Section>
</Section>
<Section name="Header " url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code=""/>
</Section>
<Section name="Saved Search Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code=""/>
<Section name="Changes Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code=""/>
</Section>
<Section name="Login Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code="">
<Section name="Login Sub Help" url="" helpFileName="" isLegacy="1" code=""/>
</Section>
</Sections>
</MenuHelp>

[jkmyoung]

The key is to use the ref attribute.
When you initially reference the Section element inside the sections, use a ref:

<xs:element name="Sections">
    <xs:complexType>
        <xs:sequence>
            <xs:element ref="Section" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded"/>
        </xs:sequence>
    </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>
 

Then declare the Section element, and have it reference itself.

<xs:element name="Section">
    <xs:complexType>
        <xs:sequence>
            <xs:element ref="Section" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded"/>
        </xs:sequence>
        <xs:attribute name="code"/>
        <xs:attribute name="url"/>
        <xs:attribute name="isLegacy"/>
        <xs:attribute name="name"/>
        <xs:attribute name="helpFileName"/>
    </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>