Question

I am stuck with an xsd definition problem. Please help to provide a solution –

I have two element structure possible –

<Books>
 <Book>Effective java</Book>
</Books>

OR

<Books>
 <Book>
    <Name>Effective java</Name>
    <Author>Josh</Author>
 </Book>
</Books>

I have tried using two different complex types to define each, but validation fails saying that we cannot have element with multiple types.
Also, I tried using union but looks like it can only work on inbuilt types.

Is this at all possible ? If yes, please help providing pointers.

Answer 1

Got this solution which allows the mixing of Simple and complex types –

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>
<xs:schema attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <xs:element name='Name' type='xs:string'/>
  <xs:element name='Author' type='xs:string'/>
  <xs:element name="Books">
    <xs:complexType>
      <xs:sequence>
        <xs:element name='Book' minOccurs='0'>
          <xs:complexType mixed='true'>
            <xs:all>
              <xs:element ref='Name' minOccurs='0'/>
              <xs:element ref='Author' minOccurs='0'/>
            </xs:all>
          </xs:complexType>
        </xs:element>
      </xs:sequence>
    </xs:complexType>
  </xs:element>
</xs:schema>