1. Home
  2. Reference
  3. Model Concepts
  4. Properties
  5. Abstract Elements
  6. Abstract Elements in XML

Abstract Elements in XML

Instances

Abstract elements exist solely to be replaced. They do not appear in an XML instance.

See Substitutable Elements in XML for an example of a substitution in an instance.

Schema example

<xs:element name="LocationCountyAbstract" abstract="true">
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:documentation>
      A data concept for a county, parish, vicinage, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a state.
    </xs:documentation>
  </xs:annotation>
</xs:element>
  • The name ends with “Abstract”.
  • The element does not have a type.
  • The element declaration has an abstract="true" attribute.
  • The definition begins with “A data concept for …”

Schema template

<xs:element name="NAMEAbstract" abstract="true">
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:documentation>
      A data concept for ...
    </xs:documentation>
  </xs:annotation>
</xs:element>