Tool Mentor: Configure and Run the UML-to-XSD Transform
Use a UML or SoaML model to create XML Schema Definition (XSD) files.
Tool: Rational Software Architect
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Main Description

Introduction

Rational Software Architect for WebSphere Software (henceforth "RSA") provides the capability to generate XSDs from UML models, using its UML-to-XSD transform.  See  Transforming UML models into XSD files, in RSA Help, for full details. See  UML-to-XSD transformations for essential information regarding:

  • Guidelines for modeling XML schemas using UML
  • How the transformation transforms UML into XSDs
  • Transform sources and targets
  • "Raw" UML elements (elements without XSD-specific adornment) that transform into XSD.

Configuring a Model for Custom XSD Modeling

The transform is capable of creating XSDs from model content that is not adorned with XSD-specific markup.  However, XSD output can be tuned by using XSD-specific stereotypes. See   XSD transformation profile to understand the meanings of each of the stereotypes.  Activate custom XSD profile tooling using  Enabling XSD modeling capabilities, and apply the XSD profile to your model using  Applying the transformation profile.  You can add custom XSD data types to your model by following the instructions provided in  Importing the XSD data types model library.

It can be particularly beneficial to use the custom XSD modeling features, described above, if you need to craft complex data types.

Simple XSD Types and Facets

Create a simple XSD type either by applying the <<simpleType>> stereotype to an existing classifier or by using the "Add XSD..." context menu to create a new simple type element in the Project Explorer.  As is described in  Simple types and applicable facets of UML-to-XSD transformations, simple XSD types can be constrained using one or more standard facets.  The facets are available as stereotype properties of the simple type element.  Set them as follows:

  • Select the element in either Project Explorer or on a diagram
  • Select the Properties View
  • Select the Stereotypes tab of that view
  • Beneath the list of applied stereotypes, find the list of stereotype properties.  Set the properties (which are the facets) appropriately.

Configuring UML-to-XSD Transforms

See  Configuring UML-to-XSD transformations for details on how to create and configure a UML-to-XSD transform.  In particular, note that the entire source model does not need to be selected.  If you choose to generate (just) XSDs from a service model, select the implementation packages in the model as the source, rather than the entire model. 

Running the Transform

See   Running and rerunning UML-to-XSD transformations for information regarding approaches for running a UML-to-XSD transform.