About Simple and Structured Data Elements

Simple data elements are reusable data types that contain no child dependencies. A simple data element has no structure, and is associated—directly or indirectly—to a primitive type (int, boolean, char, and so forth).

Structured data elements are reusable, complex data types that include embedded data types. Structured data elements contain simple data elements and other structured data elements.

For example, you might create a structured data element called building that contains the floor, room, aisle, rack, and shelf child elements. Structured data elements can also contain other structured data elements. For example, a structured data element called person might contain the child elements firstName, lastName, and the child structured data element address.

Related Topics

Creating Simple Data Elements

Creating Structured Data Elements