UML Class model to XSD

[Andreas1975]

Hi everyone.

I need to model a corporate information model, preferrably using UML Class modelling, since the knowledge skill of the informations modellers are primary that.
From the UML Class models I want to generate documentations and XSD's, as well as in the next steps generate external webservice documentations based upon that model / schemas.

Question is...
Is it possible to generate complete XSD Schemas from UML Class models including xsd attributes such as "maxLength", "totalDigits", "nillable" and so on ?, or do I have to model "the foundation" using the XML Schema profile?

My information modellers are well familiar with UML Class modelling, and I'm hoping to not be forced to have to teach them everything about XML Schema concepts.

best regards
Andreas

[Geert Bellekens]

Andreas,

I've never tried so myself, but in theory you should be able to:
- Define a logical data model (regular classes, attributes, associations,...)
- Execute an MDA transformation to create an XSD model
- Generate the xsd from this XSD model.

The XSD model should contain all specific properties you need to manipulate the XSD.

Geert

[Geert Bellekens]

Andreas,

I've never tried so myself, but in theory you should be able to:
- Define a logical data model (regular classes, attributes, associations,...)
- Execute an MDA transformation to create an XSD model
- Generate the xsd from this XSD model.

The XSD model should contain all specific properties you need to manipulate the XSD.

Geert

[salayande]

Yes, you can and that is the best approach if you want to define an enterprise canonical model for implementation on the corporate enterprise service bus.

Process:

1. Define your information model
2. Generate your XSD model using the in-built transformation (I had to modify this to generate global XSDsimpletypes for maximum reuse)
3. Generate your schema files
4. The files are re-used as a library

[Andreas1975]

Thanks for the replies.

Will check this out in detail.

regards
Andreas

[Andreas1975]

After spending a day of transforming back and forwards, please let me know if I got this right when trying to get a classdiagram attribute "maxLength" generated into the xml schema...

Directly generate this from standard class-diagram is not possible, since you cant modify the Code Generation Templates for XML Schema? (At least I couldnt find them in the dropdown list of all other code generation technlogies)

I have to explicit transform the model using MDA transformation, since it seems like a direct XML Schema Generation behind the scenes does not do MDA Generation (At least it doesnt pick up my changes to the templates)

I have to go through modifying the MDA transformation, creating SimpleTypes for all attributes, just to have things like "maxLength", "minLength" etc on the schema?

... What I really want is to modify the actual scripts creating the XSD.. - Is that possible?

regards
Andreas

[g.makulik]

... What I really want is to modify the actual scripts creating the XSD.. - Is that possible?

Seems that you can only adapt the transformation scripts to generate the UML XSD schema representation. See 'Settings->Transformation Templates'. Maybe a XSLT transformation applied after generating the actual XSD schema may help to adapt the results to your needs.

Otherwise this document may also be helpful: http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/downloads/resources/booklets/uml_code_engineering.pdf.

HTH
Günther

[Andreas1975]

Great document! - Exactly what I was looking for.

thanks!

[Andreas1975]

Hi all.

Bumping up this old thread again - I've spent quite some time getting this to work.

I as well need to modify the MDA Transformation to create XSDsimpleType objects when transforming from Class model to XSD model.

I just cant figure out how to set the "type" attribute (string, short, etc) on the XSDsimpleType object in the transformation template?

salayande - How did you solve this?, anyone else?

thanks