Simple data types

  • Simple data types in the XML spec have general requirements for content and formatting.

  • For xs:string, trim whitespace and convert to Title Case for readability.

  • xs:date, xs:dateTime, and PartialDate should be in ISO-8601 format, with PartialDate allowing different levels of specificity.

  • xs:boolean values should be either true or false (case-sensitive).

  • xs:language should be a two-character, lower-case ISO 639 value.

The following are general requirements for the content and formatting of simple data types in the XML spec.

xs:string

Keep the following best practices in mind when you use the xs:string data type:

  • Always trim the string to remove leading and trailing white space.
  • If the string is presented to end users, such as with party names, office titles, or proper names, convert the data to Title Case when possible to aid readability.

xs:date

When you use the xs:date data type, enter it in ISO-8601 format.

xs:dateTime

When you use the xs:dateTime data type, enter it in ISO-8601 format.

PartialDate

PartialDate is a union that lets you set dates in ISO-8601 format at different levels of specificity:

  • Specific date as YYYY-MM-DD
  • Period of one month as YYYY-MM
  • Period of one year as YYYY

xs:boolean

When you use the xs:boolean data type, enter it with a value of either true or false (case-sensitive).

xs:language

When you use the xs:language data type, enter it as a two-character, lower-case value that corresponds to the ISO 639 standard.