What is a schema? — evaluate the statement: “Schemas consist of properties and methods.” Indicate whether this is correct or incorrect in the context of XML/database schemas.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Incorrect

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
In databases and XML, a schema defines structure and constraints, not behavior. This question probes whether you confuse schemas with object-oriented programming (which uses “properties and methods”). Database schemas define tables, columns, keys, and relationships; XML Schemas define elements, attributes, types, and facets.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Relational schemas: tables, columns, data types, constraints (PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY, UNIQUE, CHECK).
  • XML Schema (XSD): elements, attributes, complex/simple types, occurrence constraints (minOccurs/maxOccurs), facets (pattern, minLength, maxInclusive).
  • No executable behavior (methods) is part of these schemas, though procedural code may enforce additional rules.


Concept / Approach:
“Properties and methods” are object-oriented class concepts. A schema is a blueprint for data shape and validity, not a class with behavior. While some object-relational mappers or object databases may blur terminology, standard database and XML schemas remain declarative metadata about structure and constraints. Therefore, the statement is incorrect.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify what a relational schema contains: definitions and constraints.Identify what an XSD contains: element/attribute/type declarations and restrictions.Compare with “properties and methods”: methods imply executable behavior, which schemas do not define.Conclude that the claim confuses programming classes with schemas.


Verification / Alternative check:
Inspect a CREATE TABLE statement or an XSD file: you will find data types and constraints, not function bodies or method signatures.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • “Correct/object-oriented databases” is misleading; even OODBMS define schema in terms of classes and attributes, but methods are not part of SQL/XSD schema definitions discussed here.
  • “JSON Schema but not XML” is still incorrect; JSON Schema defines types and constraints, not methods.
  • Namespace usage does not change what a schema is.


Common Pitfalls:
Overloading programming vocabulary onto data modeling; assuming validation logic equates to executable methods.



Final Answer:
Incorrect

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