Proper XML structure for a Questionnaire?

[lito247]

Hello,
I'm probably over thinking this, but I don't know of a proper way of building the schema for a questionnaire, specifically when I have a list of questions that depend on a YES or NO answer...

For example:
Do you own a car? (Y|N)
If yes, what is the Brand and Model?
If yes, what Color is it?

Do you plan to buy a car? (Y|N)
If yes, how much are you willing to spend?
If yes, when are you planning to buy?

My confusion is whether or not those "dependent" questions/answers need to live as child nodes inside the top question. If there are no rules regarding this, what is the best practice? An example would be helpful.

Thank you.

 

[JontyMC]

There are no "rules" to building XML, its all about semantics. What makes logical sense? There's more than one way, and it depends on your personal preference.

Personally, I would do something like this:

<questionnaire>
  <question>
    <text>Do you own a car?</text>
    <answer>
      <value>Y</value>
      <question>
        <text>What is the Brand and Model?</text>
      </question>
      <question>
        <text>What Color is it?</text>
      </question>
    </answer>
    <answer>
      <value>N</value>
    </answer>
  </question>
  <question>
    <text>Do you plan to buy a car? </text>
    <answer>
      <value>Y</value>
      <question>
        <text>How much are you willing to spend?</text>
      </question>
      <question>
        <text>When are you planning to buy?</text>
      </question>
    </answer>
    <answer>
      <value>N</value>
    </answer>
  </question>
</questionnaire>

The structure will depend on what semantic information it needs to encapture and how that information is to be used.

Jon

"I don't regret this, but I both rue and lament it.