Beginner XML DTD Help.

[andypandy]

Hi there, I've been learning xml for a while but I now have to write an external dtd for a large xml file but I'm a bit stuck on something and was hoping someone could help. Below is an example of the code from the xml file

<abstract>
<para>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit</para>
<acknowledgemen ts>
<para>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit</para>
</acknowledgement s>

My question is how do I define the para element in the dtd, I'm just a bit confused as its used more than once and in different elements, would it be something like:

<!ELEMENT project (abstract,ackno wledgements)>
<!ELEMENT abstract (para)+>
<!ELEMENT para (#PCDATA)>

also within the para's there are thigs like images, code listing and lists, would they just be defined in the <!ELEMENT para (#PCDATA)>?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jkmyoung]

I don't think you need the 2nd <!ELEMENT para (#PCDATA)>, as you've already defined it once.

2nd question:yes

[andypandy]

thanks for your reply i got the problem sorted but i was wondering if you could help me with something else? Im trying to create and display a table the code below shows how im doing it:

<table>
<item>
<title>Lorem ipsum</title>
<info>dolor sit</info>
</item>
</table>

and in the dtd:

<!ELEMENT table (item)+>
<!ELEMENT item (title*, info*,detail*,s tuff*)>
<!ELEMENT title (#PCDATA)>
<!ELEMENT info (#PCDATA)>
<!ELEMENT detail (#PCDATA)>
<!ELEMENT stuff (#PCDATA)>

when i try to validate it i get errors like:
error (1102): tag uses GI for an undeclared element: item
error (1150): enclosing tag undefined or lacks content model; can't check child: title

the probel appears to be that the elements are undefined however I have clearly defined them in the dtd, any suggestions?

thanks