cfiXML Engineering Data Exchange Files

Public Release v 4.0 - Readme.txt

Full Notes on cfiXML schema updates for Public Release v 4.0 and undertaken since Working Release 3.04 (2/24/11) are provided in PRelease4Notes.htm.
The work undertaken represents a significant update of the schema, which is now available as Public Release v 4.0.

Two downloads are available: cfiXmlFullReleaseV4.zip and cfiXMLLTReleaseV4.zip.  The former is the full standard cfiXML schema.  The latter cfiXML Light (LT) schema has been developed to support the use of simple XML serialization tools and enable developers with limited XML experience to be able to develop data exchange systems easily and cost-effectively. For further information see cfiXML_LT_Specifications available from cfixml.org.

KEY UPDATES:

1) Optional ObjectID
The objectID attribute in cfiXML objects is altered from ‘required’ to ‘optional’.  This is to allow for LT schema-based files to exclude objectIDs but still validate against full schema.  Though this alteration occurs in full cfiXML, full schema should adhere to the schema guidelines and so objectIDs remain a required attribute.  This ensures consistency in all full cfiXML-based applications and resulting XML documents.

In addition to this fundamental change, the objectID attribute is no longer restricted by pattern to enable LT schema users to enter any string, if required.  Again, full schema users should adhere to the requirements outlined in the guidelines to maintain a consistent approach.

2) Removal of polymorphic derivable types
Polymorphic derivable types create complexity for users of simple XML serialization tools.  These have therefore been removed from schema.  See MantisBT Issue 05 for details.  All specific updates associated with this change are listed in PRelease4Notes.htm.

3) Alteration of referencePropertyIDs
These no longer are required to be hexadecimals but can now be strings.  This allows users to link specifications by meaningful data item codes associated with data dictionaries.

4) Document updates
Schema has been assessed in order to:
1)	ensure that schema supports a means of ‘listing’ documents associated with a primary data sheet exchange package, such as may be required for the Purchase or As Built work processes;
2)	identify and clearly define any new data items required to describe documents associated with the primary data exchange package.
3)	refine and simplify schema by analyzing the additional document specifications described elsewhere in schema with the dx:associatedDocumentID contents.
All updates undertaken are detailed in PRelease4Notes.htm.

5) cfiXML Light (LT)
LT is a sub-set of full schema.  In addition to no longer requiring objectIDs, the following have been removed from cfiXML LT:
1)	attributes which support detailed revision, version and change tracking;
2)	attributes associated with dynamic units of measurement, so all LT-based XML files are to use SI units only;
3)	various files which are not required for the defined uses of cfiXML LT (schema/idx.xsd; schema/document/eqDoc.xsd, mtrlDoc.xsd and procSimDoc.xsd).
All items that were removed or altered to create the first version of LT schema are detailed in PRelease4Notes.htm. See also the cfiXML_LT_Specifications.doc available from the cfidev website.