XDR was a functional schema developed by Microsoft before the W3C XML schema. It was a part of Microsoft’s BizTalk program and supported data types and XML namespaces.
FAQ About XDR: The Microsoft-Developed XML Schema Language
XDR (XML-Data Reduced) is a schema language that was developed by Microsoft back in the late 1990s as part of their BizTalk program. While it’s not used as widely as other schema languages like XSD, it does have its place in the XML world. Here are some commonly asked questions about XDR:
What Is XDR?
XDR is an XML schema language that was developed by Microsoft to support their BizTalk program. It’s a functional schema language that supports data types and XML namespaces.
What Are Some Key Features of XDR?
XDR has a number of features that make it a viable choice for some XML applications:
– Simplified syntax: Compared to other schema languages like XSD, XDR has a simpler syntax that some developers find easier to work with.
– Data typing: XDR supports a number of data types, including string, boolean, decimal, and date/time. This allows developers to enforce constraints on their XML data.
– Namespaces: Like other XML schema languages, XDR supports XML namespaces. This allows developers to avoid naming conflicts and create modular schemas that can be reused across different applications.
How Does XDR Compare to Other XML Schema Languages?
XDR is not as widely used as other XML schema languages like XSD, RelaxNG, and Schematron. However, it does have some advantages over these languages in certain situations. For example, XDR’s simplified syntax can make it easier to read and write, which may be a consideration for some developers. On the other hand, XSD is more powerful and flexible, and is the de facto standard for XML schemas.
What Are Some Examples of XDR Schemas?
Here’s an example of an XDR schema that defines a simple person element:
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This schema defines a person element that contains three child elements: name, age, and gender. The name and gender elements are strings, while the age element is an integer.
To conclude
XDR may not be as popular as other schema languages, but it does have some advantages in certain situations. Its simplified syntax, support for data types, and XML namespaces make it a viable choice for some developers. If you’re working with XML, it’s worth considering XDR as a potential schema language for your application.
