The SmartPlant schema is an XML file that describes the structure of the XML files generated by the authoring tools in much the same way as a data dictionary describes the structure of a database. As tools publish documents in XML format, those documents must adhere to the format defined by the schema to ensure that the XML data can be loaded into SmartPlant Foundation and retrieved into the other authoring tools.
To work with the SmartPlant schema, you must understand the SmartPlant model. The SmartPlant schema uses a class/interface/relationship model. This model has the following characteristics:
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Component schemas define a group of classes.
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Class definitions define the schema information for concrete objects.
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Class definitions realize interface definitions.
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Interface definitions can imply other interface definitions.
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The schema hierarchy is defined by implies relationships between interfaces.
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Interface definitions expose property definitions.
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Relationships are defined between interface definitions, not between class definitions.
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Enumerated lists contain enumerated entries.
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Shared object definitions are a group of similar class definitions.
The SmartPlant schema can be represented in UML (Unified Modeling Language). For more information about the UML model, see UML Notation.
For more information about the SmartPlant schema model, refer to the following sections or see A Gentle Introduction to the SmartPlant Schema, delivered with the SmartPlant Foundation Help.