XML language overview

You can use different XML languages in an XML model, these are also called resource files. For each XML language, a standard definition file is included and provides an interface between PowerDesigner and the XML language so as to establish the best relationships between them.

Different types of resource files are used to complement or further define standard PowerDesigner features. If you need more information about resource files, see chapter The Resource Editor in the General Features Guide .

Caution
You should never modify the XML languages shipped with PowerDesigner. For each original XML language you want to modify, you should create a corresponding new XML language. To do so, you have to create a new XML language from the List of XML languages, available from the Resources command in the Tools menu, then define a name and select the original file in the Copy From dropdown listbox. This allows you to create a new XML language that is identical to the original file apart from the name.

What is an XML language?

The XML language is a required component when working with XML model. Each XML language has its own XML language definition in XML format that contains specifications for a particular XML language in a format understandable by an XML model. It provides with the syntax and guidelines for generating objects and implementing stereotypes, scripts and constants for an XML language.

Each XML model is by default attached to one XML language. When you create a new XML model, you must choose an XML language. You can create a new XML language or use the XML languages delivered with the XML model.

The definition of an XML language is available from its property sheet accessible from Tools→Resources→XML languages. You can select and configure parameters used when defining objects or generating from an XML model.

What does an XML language contain?

All XML languages have the same structure made up of a number of categories. A category can contain other categories, entries, and values. These entries are parameters recognizable by an XML model.

The values for XML language entries vary for each XML language. Some entries may not be available if the feature does not apply to the XML language.

XML language examples

Even if one particular XML language is used to illustrate an example, the mechanism explained in this chapter applies to all XML languages supported in an XML model.