Validation and Well-Formedness Check

• XMLwriter uses the Microsoft MSXML parser to validate XML documents against DTDs and XSD Schemas. Validation is also supported for XDR Schemas.
• The MSXML parser is regularly updated by Microsoft to keep up to date with the latest W3C specifications, and can be updated in XMLwriter (see MSXML Updates for more information).
• If you prefer to use a different parser for validation you can configure 3rd-party parsers in XMLwriter using User Tools. User Tools supports parsers such as Apache Xerces.
• The following file types can be checked for Well-Formedness in XMLwriter:
  XML, DTD, XSD Schema, and XSLT.

XSL Transformation

• XMLwriter uses the Microsoft MSXML parser to perform XSL transformations.
• The MSXML parser is regularly updated by Microsoft to keep up to date with the latest XSL W3C specifications, and can be updated in XMLwriter (see MSXML Updates for more information).
• If you prefer to use a different XSL engine you can configure 3rd-party parsers in XMLwriter using User Tools. User Tools supports XSL engines such as Apache Xalan.

Intelligent Entry Helpers

• XMLwriter includes intelligent popup Entry Helpers to assist you in the editing process. Entry Helpers are displayed for XML, XSLT, XML Schema, DTD, XHTML, and HTML documents. The Entry Helper window is displayed when a left bracket (<) is typed into the active document window. XMLwriter also contains an Auto-complete feature that completes the tag set when you enter a tag that is not listed in an Entry Helper.
• The XML Entry Helper displays a list of elements defined in the assigned DTD or XSD Schema document. As you navigate through your XML document, the Entry Helper displays in bold, elements that are allowed at the cursor position according to the DTD or Schema.
• The XSLT, XML Schema, DTD, XHTML, and HTML Entry Helpers display a list of elements defined in their respective W3C specifications.
• All Entry Helper files are editable, allowing you the freedom to insert custom syntax or delete syntax you rarely use.

TagBar^TM: Visual and Interactive Display of XML Schema and DTD Documents

• TagBar^TM is a tool that allows you to compose an XML document based on an existing DTD or XML Schema. TagBar displays the DTD/XML Schema as an expandable element tree. This tree shows all the elements defined in the DTD/XML Schema, their relationships and attributes.
• TagBar^TM supports W3C XML Schemas (XSD), XML-Data Reduced Schemas (XDR), and Document Type Definitions (DTD).
• TagBar^TM can be viewed as a tree or flat layout. The tree layout represents the entire DTD/XML Schema in which the levels of recursion can be specified in XMLwriter's options. The flat layout displays an alphabetical list of all of the elements defined in the DTD/Schema including their child elements and attributes.

Code Snippets

• The Code Snippets feature allows you to drag and drop pre-produced code directly onto a document window. XMLwriter includes six Snippet files:
  • XML-DTD Reference
  • XSD Schema Reference
  • XSLT Reference
  • XHTML Reference
  • HTML Reference
  • HTML Entities
  These Snippet files contain all of the elements listed in their respective W3C specifications.
• You can edit the existing Snippets, add new Snippets, or create your own Snippet files.

File Conversion and Generation

• XMLwriter includes:
  • DTD to XSD Schema conversion and vice versa
  • Generate XML document from DTD/XSD Schema

Project Management

• Creating projects in XMLwriter allows you to:
  • Group files with the same file extension together.
  • Perform batch validation and XSL transformation on individual folders or the entire project.
  • Select specific stylesheets for individual folders or the entire project.
  • Specify the destination of output files for individual folders or the entire project.
• XMLwriter projects are written in XML, therefore can be easily edited.

Graphical User Interface Features Include...

• Text editing user interface.
• Instant color syntax highlighting.
• Line numbers.
• Bookmarks.
• Auto-Indent.
• Indent/Unindent.
• Unlimited Undo/Redo.
• Auto-Formatting of tags.
• Multi-document user interface.
• Tabbed document windows, including right-click menus for tabs.
• Drag and drop, double-click editing.
• Dockable toolbars and workspace windows.
• Customizable toolbar, menus, and keyboard shortcuts.

Other Features Include...

• User Tools - configure up to 20 different User Tools in XMLwriter including 3rd-party XML parsers and XSL engines such as Apache Xerces and Xalan.
• Easy assignment of DTD/Schema/XSLT/CSS files to an XML document.
• Ability to jump to DTD/Schema/XSLT/CSS files referenced in an XML document.
• Right-click menu commands include "Enclose with Comment", "Enclose with Quotes", "Enclose with Element".
• Customizable file filters and syntax coloring support for new file extensions. Default file extensions include:
  • XML Documents: .xml;.3dml;.biz;.cml;.ent;.math;.pad;.rdf;.smil;.svg;.vml;.vxml;.wml;.xdr;
  • Document Type Definitions: .dtd;
  • XML Schema Files: .xsd;
  • XSLT Stylesheets: .xsl;.xslt;.fo;
  • Cascading Stylesheets: .css;
  • XHTML Documents: .xhtml;
  • HTML Documents: .html;.htm;.shtm;.shtml;
• Find in Files.
• External file modification detection.
• Options including auto-validation on open/save, and backup files.
• Tips, What's This? help, XML Guide, and a comprehensive Help Manual.
• Tutorials and examples.