Namespaces overview

IEC depends on identifying XML elements for various business processes. These unique XML elements are the bases of retrieving values in an input XML document and setting values in an output XML document.

For example, a <title> element can have different meanings and you can apply it to different purposes, depending on its context of use.

With namespaces, IEC can get the correct <title> element used in an XML. For example, if element <address> is used multiple times in a combination of vocabularies in an XML can give IEC the correct address element.

Additional notes on namespaces

Take note of this information when using namespaces:
  • Use of namespaces in XML documents is not required.
  • A namespace defined by a prefix and a URI.
  • A default namespace can be defined and it applies to all elements without prefix.

Quick verification checklist

If problems occur, use this quick verification checklist:
  • Does the input XML use namespaces?
  • Do the detection settings targeted to the input XML use namespaces?
  • Does the mapping use namespaces (to verify, ask the mapping developer)?
  • Do the namespace URIs match any of the above three items?