RIF BLD: XML Schema for Condition Language and JAXB

Assuming that much of the software for processing XML in the RIF
sublanguages
will be written in Java, it is highly probable that much of this will be
done using JAXB,
the "Java Architecture for XML Binding". Sun's Java 1.6 comes bundled with
an
XML Schema compiler. I have investigated the XML schema for the RIF
Condition
Language.

The schema as given in the "RIF Basic Working Draft 30 July 2008" compiles
into 33 Java classes. Using a different approach, essentially the same
XML definition can be expressed in an XML schema which compiles into
only about 20 Java classes.

The current XML schema does not try to exploit inheritance by XML type
extension. (This would be possible for IRIMetaType as a base type.)

Using the xsd:choice construct results in class definitions with several
fields where only one is used (example: Formula). Such objects are
awkward and, potentially, error prone.

It would be preferable to use explicit complexType and simpleType
definitions (rather than inlined types) as this makes it possible to reuse
the
same type for differently tagged elements.

If it is a concern of  the working group to formulate an XML schema
which simplifies its usage for Java programmers then a rework of the
schema definition should be considered. I'd be glad to contribute my
work towards an alternate version.

Kind regards
Dr. Wolfgang Laun