Hi,
Input based on reading “When to use elements versus attributes -Exploring the oldest question in XML design”
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-eleatt/index.html
Principle of | put it in an element | use attributes |
If you consider the information in question to be part of the essential material that is being expressed or communicated in the XML, | If you consider the information to be peripheral or incidental to the main communication, or purely intended to help applications process the main communication, | |
data goes in elements | metadata in attributes | |
If the information is expressed in a structured form, especially if the structure may be extensible, | If the information is expressed as an atomic token | |
If the information is intended to be read and understood by a person, | If the information is most readily understood and digested by a machine, | |
if you need its value to be modified by another attribute |
sometimes the principles will lead to conflicting conclusions where you'll have to use your own judgment to decide on each specific matter.
So, if the issue at hand is <essential> <data> that may be <extensible> meant <to be understood by a person> - this suggests ELEMENT.
Best regards
Tor Arne
Fra: plcs-tog@lists.oasis-open.org [mailto:plcs-tog@lists.oasis-open.org] På vegne av Rob Bodington
Sendt: 11. september 2012 08:06
Til: (plcs-tog@lists.oasis-open.org)
Emne: [plcs-tog] FW: XML elements vs. XML attributes
Viktighet: Høy
Hi
We have been asked for our view on this by the AP242 team who are at a workshop finalizing the AP242 model
My initial reaction is that we should avoid xml attributes at all costs.
We have them for id and uris – on the basis of file size – the same argument is being used here.
Any thoughts?
Regards
Rob
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Rob Bodington
Eurostep Limited
Web Page: http://www.eurostep.com
Email: Rob.Bodington@eurostep.com
Phone: +44 (0)1452 810 960
Mobile: +44 (0)7796 176 401
Skype: rbodington
Eurostep Limited. Registered in England and Wales No.03049099
Registered Office: Cwttir Lane, St. Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0LQ.
From: Günter Staub [mailto:staub@pdtec.de]
Sent: 10 September 2012 21:28
To: Rob Bodington
Subject: RE: XML elements vs. XML attributes
Importance: High
Hi Rob,
can you please give your opinion, or even better Feedback from PLCS to the proposal from Dassault for using attributes instead of elements for some geometric entities (see below).
Regards,
Gunter
From: Günter Staub [mailto:staub@pdtec.de]
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 5:32 PM
To: Rob Bodington (rob.bodington@eurostep.com)
Subject: RE: XML elements vs. XML attributes
Hi Rob,
one (early) comment for the AP242 Prototyping project (from Dassault I believe, but not sure):
But the file size ratio (1:2,x) is not too bad from my point of view (but p21 = AIM level, XML file = BO Model level).
Regards,
Gunter
From: Günter Staub [mailto:staub@pdtec.de]
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 5:24 PM
To: Rob Bodington (rob.bodington@eurostep.com)
Subject: XML elements vs. XML attributes
Hi Rob,
Some time ago you mentioned a (kind of) recommendation about when to use XML elements vs. XML attributes.
Can you please provide this document (or a link where to find this document) to me?
Regards,
Gunter