> > Maybe a mandatory element in TABLE then? It could come after (streamed
> > case) or before (un-streamed case) the TABLEDATA element since its at the
> > same level as TABLEDATA itself.
> >
> > That way it has to be there, so you can assume it, but you get it early
> > before you've parsed the TABLEDATA sub-element in the unstreamed case.
>
> Why not optionnal before and after, then processes querying metadata
> header would get a usefull information if available and everybody
> trailing checksum kind information.
Because XML isn't a serial structure. A tag at the same hierarchy level as TABLEDATA (inside TABLE) can go either before or after TABLEDATA, doesn't matter which since its its the same level tag, but you can't have two copies.
For tables where you just want the meta-data the fact that the data in the TABLEDATA is a whole sub-level down means you could just parse the table to a certain depth and mis the actual data blocks, but grab the meta-data telling you how much data there actually is...
Al.
-- Dr. A. Allan, School of Physics, University of ExeterReceived on 2003-10-23Z15:40:39