Create XSD using UML Prof for XSD, XSD Tbox - NIEM

[dana n]

I see there are two ways to create an XML Schema in EA 11:

1) UML Profile for XSD
2) XML Schema Toolbox

Starting fresh, which method is better / preferred and why?
The end goal here would be having an MDM XML Canonical Schema,
then mapping it to a NIEM IEPD.

While I'm licensed for EA, I also see there's a free open source tool from Oracle for NIEM-UML work named CAM.

Trying to select a tool, fast (unfortunately) to do this type of work. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of using EA vs. CAM?

"Import and use the XSD Datatypes into Enterprise Architect only if you are modeling the XSD model using the UML Profile for XSD (instead of using the XML Schema Toolbox)". Project deadlines are forcing me to choose quickly rather than take the time to assess each product properly. Not something I'm comfortable with, so I'm wondering if anyone who's used both EA and CAM could comment on their experiences with each tool for creating XML Schemas and also NIEM IEPDs.

[dana n]

Should I submit this question through a formal tech support process? Anyone here creating XML Schemas > NIEM-UML IEPDs?

Wondering if there are any good tutorials for using EA for NIEM work.

I see there are two ways to create an XML Schema in EA 11:

1) UML Profile for XSD
2) XML Schema Toolbox

Starting fresh, which method is better / preferred and why?
The end goal here would be having an MDM XML Canonical Schema,
then mapping it to a NIEM IEPD.

While I'm licensed for EA, I also see there's a free open source tool from Oracle for NIEM-UML work named CAM.

Trying to select a tool, fast (unfortunately) to do this type of work. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of using EA vs. CAM?

"Import and use the XSD Datatypes into Enterprise Architect only if you are modeling the XSD model using the UML Profile for XSD (instead of using the XML Schema Toolbox)". Project deadlines are forcing me to choose quickly rather than take the time to assess each product properly. Not something I'm comfortable with, so I'm wondering if anyone who's used both EA and CAM could comment on their experiences with each tool for creating XML Schemas and also NIEM IEPDs.

[qwerty]

There are some people here using EA for XSD modeling. I once used it and found the traps the hard way. XSD is much more flexible in what can be expressed than UML. So you need a number of conventions/restrictions. Google is your friend here. I never noticed NIEM (probably because it was not available that time) but what I saw I guess that the conventions are somehow coupled to it. So I'd stick to using NIEM, or at least I'd give it a try.

q.

[dana n]

There are some people here using EA for XSD modeling. I once used it and found the traps the hard way. XSD is much more flexible in what can be expressed than UML. So you need a number of conventions/restrictions. Google is your friend here. I never noticed NIEM (probably because it was not available that time) but what I saw I guess that the conventions are somehow coupled to it. So I'd stick to using NIEM, or at least I'd give it a try.

q.

Thanks Qwerty. When you say Traps, do you mean the inability of EA to model certain XML Schema constructs? e.g.

http://www.sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/9.2/soa_and_xml/model_xsd.html

"Modeling Restrictions:
The following XML Schema constructs cannot be modeled in Enterprise Architect:
•      appinfo
•      field
•      key
•      keyref
•      notation
•      redefine
•      selector
•      substitutionGroup
•      unique"

Incidentally, for anyone on LinkedIn, I've initiated a conversation about modeling tools to use for NIEM-UML on the NIEM Group:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/National-Information-Exchange-Model-NIEM-1903175/about

[qwerty]

Yes. In general it's the mapping between the constructs used in XSD and UML. There are quite some which you can not easily / at all map from XSD to UML. Sorry, but it's too long ago to remember the details.

q.

[dana n]

Yes. In general it's the mapping between the constructs used in XSD and UML. There are quite some which you can not easily / at all map from XSD to UML. Sorry, but it's too long ago to remember the details.

q.

No worries. Thanks for your input.

[dana n]

For the record, I opened a support ticket yesterday via email and have received no reply thus far. Since there is a NIEM-UML capability in EA, I wondered what the official posture / answer was re: its ability or inability to do all of the work, e.g. create XML Canonical Schema > NIEM model > NIEM IEPD.