Re: Object class defintion

[Rob Weltman <robw@worldspot.com>]

Erik Andersen wrote:
> 
> Please excuse stupid question from a new-comer on the list.
> 
> I have studied that DSML version 1 specification and have some questions
> concerning the object class definition. The class element has the id
> attribute that identifies the object class. It also has a name child
> element. How does the value(s) given in the name child element relate to
> the value given id attribute? Also, why can there be several occurrences of
> the name child element?
> 
> Erik Andersen

  The "name" element defines the name of the object class, e.g.

<dsml:name>inetOrgPerson</dsml:name>

  The "id" attribute defines a symbol which can be used to refer to the definition from elsewhere (in this or another XML document) using XLink notation, e.g.

<dsml:class id="organizationalPerson" ...>
  <dsml:name>organizationalPerson</dsml:name>
...
</dsml:class>
...
...
<dsml:class id="inetOrgPerson" superior="#organizationalPerson" ...>
  <dsml:name>inetOrgPerson</dsml:name>
...
</dsml:class>


  The second definition refers to the first one through the id attribute.  I don't think there is any requirement that the same identifier be used for the name of the object class and the id attribute, but using the same identifier makes it easier to read and to debug documents containing references.

Rob