Complex Type (declaration)

Declaring a Global Complex Type

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    ...
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

A complexType declared as a direct child of the schema root element is considered a 'global' complexType.

A 'name' attribute is required for a global defined complexType.

Referencing a Global Complex Type

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:element name="element-name" type="type-name"/>

  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    ...
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Reuse a global defined complexType, by referencing the complexType, using the 'type' attribute.

A complex type can only be specified for elements.

Declaring a Local Complex Type

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:element name="element-name">
    <xsd:complexType>
      ...
    </xsd:complexType>
  <attribute>
</schema>
		    	

A complexType declared as a child of an element is considered a 'local' complexType.

The type attribute cannot be used together with a local complexType element.

A local complex type does not have a name.

SimpleContent

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    <xsd:simpleContent>
        ...
    </xsd:simpleContent>
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Specifies text content and/or attributes.

ComplexContent

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    <xsd:complexContent>
        ...
    </xsd:complexContent>
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Specifies element or mixed content and/or attributes.

Derivation by restriction.

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    <xsd:complexContent>
      <xsd:restriction base="complex-type-name">
        ...
      </xsd:restriction>
    </xsd:complexContent>
  </xsd:complexType>

  <xsd:complexType name="another-type-name">
    <xsd:simpleContent>
      <xsd:restriction base="xs:string">
        ...
      </xsd:restriction>
    </xsd:simpleContent>
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Specify the to be restricted type using the 'base' attribute or with an anonymous inner class.

Remove elements/attributes from the base-type.

It is mandatory to repeat the content from the base-type.

Result always validates against base-type.

Derivation by extension.

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    <xsd:complexContent>
      <xsd:extension base="complex-type-name">
        ...
      </xsd:extension>
    </xsd:complexContent>
  </xsd:complexType>

  <xsd:complexType name="another-type-name">
    <xsd:simpleContent>
      <xsd:extension base="xs:string">
        ...
      </xsd:extension>
    </xsd:simpleContent>
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Specify the to be extended type using the 'base' attribute or with an anonymous inner class.

Add elements/attributes to the base-type.

Result does not always validate against base-type.

Defining attributes in complexTypes.

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:complexType name="type-name">
    <xsd:complexContent>
      <xsd:extension base="complex-type-name">
        ...
        <xsd:attribute name="attribute-name" type="xs:string"/>
      </xsd:extension>
    </xsd:complexContent>
  </xsd:complexType>

  <xsd:complexType name="another-type-name">
    <xsd:simpleContent>
      <xsd:restriction base="xs:string">
        ...
        <xsd:attribute name="attribute-name" type="xs:string"/>
      </xsd:restriction>
    </xsd:simpleContent>
  </xsd:complexType>

  <xsd:complexType name="another-type-name">
    ...
    <xsd:attribute name="attribute-name" type="xs:string"/>
  </xsd:complexType>
</schema>
		    	

Attributes can be defined as child elements of the restriction/extension elements.

Attributes can also be defined directly on the complexType.

Attributes are always defined after all facets or content models have been defined.

Defining empty elements.

<xsd:schema xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" ...>
  <xsd:element name="empty-element">
    <xsd:complexType>
      <xsd:complexContent>
        <xsd:restriction base="xsd:anyType"/>
      </xsd:complexContent>
    </xsd:complexType>
  </xsd:element>
</schema>
		    	

Defines an element with a complex-type with complex-content that has no content defined.