Derivations: Extensions, Restrictions, Lists and Unions (XSM)

You can use derivations to extend or restrict the values of elements and of simple and complex types.

An XML model allows you to derive:

Elements by extension, restriction, list or union
Simple types by restriction, list or union
Complex types by extension or restriction

Note: When you define a derivation in an element property sheet, a simple or a complex type is automatically created within the element declaration (See Preview tab). The Embedded type property is automatically set to Simple or Complex, and the Content property to Simple or Complex in the case of an embedded complex type.

Deriving by Extension
You can derive an element or complex type by extension to extend the values of its base type.
Deriving by Restriction
You can derive an element, simple type, or complex type by restriction to restrict the values of their base type.
Deriving by List
You can derive an element or simple type by list to define it as a list of values of a specified data type.
Deriving by Union
You can derive an element or simple type by union to define it as a collection of built-in and simple data types.

Parent topic: XML Diagrams