Emakin uses XML data standard to used or updated in the process or internal process data needed to make the process work. This format allows to perform advanced query (XPath or XQuery) methods and create multiple and nested data layouts to support all kinds of processes.
Data model defines the model of XML data. You can define your own model or import existing models from external systems to use when needed.
Data model consist on two types of object:
Elements
Defines a data element.
For a element you can configure the following properties:
Name
Name of element.
Type
Type of element. Selected as choice of container, string, number, date time, date, time, check, check or custom defined type.
Is List Item
Check this field to allow multiple instances of this element.
Minimum Occurs
Defines the at least how many elements should be created. Visible only when Is List Item is checked.
Use
Select how is element is used as a type or element reference. This field only valid when using external data types.
Target Schema
Select containing external schema to use as type or reference. This field only valid when using external data types.
If type of field selected as container you can create child elements if needed.
Types
Defines a custom data type to use as element later. Many processes uses same data type on different places like "Person" element with "Name" and "Surname" child.
For a type you can configure the following:
Name
Name of type to identity.
Technical Details
Data model is an actually XML schema designer for easy composing. You can use provided data model designer or use any xml schema editor to build your model.
What is XML schema ?
An XML schema is a description of a type of XML document, typically expressed in terms of constraints on the structure and content of documents of that type. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML_schema for more information.
In emakin XML schema is used to generate and check process data model. You can define your schema or import any number of other schema with importing as a namespace.
Importing External Data Types
If you have an external system and need to use it's data types in your model; you can add it as a new namespace and provide XML Schema Location to load. Loaded schema sets are stored in "External Xml Schemas".
