"Tip: Use the right pattern for simple text in RELAX NG"
The RELAX NG XML schema language allows you to say "permit some text here" in a variety of ways. Whether you're writing patterns for elements or attributes, it is important to understand the nuances between the different patterns for character data. In this tip, Uche Ogbuji discusses the basic foundations for text in RELAX NG.
Several times while working on RELAX NG in mentoring roles with clients I've had to explain some of the nuances in the various ways to express simple text patterns. In this article I lay out some of the most common distinctions I've had to make. I should say that much of what I know about RELAX NG nuances I learned from Eric van der Vlist and a lot of that wisdom is gathered in his RELAX NG book (in print or online). I recommend the print book because it has some nice additions not in the online version, and because Eric deserves to eat.