Inputdatxml

Inputdatxml is an XML-based data-interchange format designed to describe input data for software applications and computational workflows. It aims to provide a structured, human-readable, and machine-parseable way to specify parameters, datasets, and configuration options in a single document. The format is defined to support validation and interoperability across different tools and platforms.

The typical structure of an inputdatxml document includes a root element, often named Inputs or InputData, containing one or more Input elements. Each Input describes a single parameter or data item and can carry attributes or subelements for name, type, value, and optional metadata such as constraints (min, max, allowedValues) and units. A simple example might specify a floating-point parameter like a learning rate with a value and an acceptable range.

Inputdatxml supports a range of data types, including string, int, float, boolean, and composite types such as arrays and objects. Complex inputs can be represented by nested Input elements or by dedicated container elements. Validation is commonly performed using an XML Schema (XSD) or an equivalent schema language, enabling automatic checks for required fields, type consistency, and constraint satisfaction.

Namespaces are often used to avoid name collisions and to enable extension, while extensibility mechanisms allow custom attributes or extension elements without breaking compatibility with existing tools. The format is commonly used to prepare inputs for simulations, data processing pipelines, and machine-learning workflows, and tools may provide converters to or from other formats such as JSON or YAML.

In practice, inputdatxml emphasizes explicit structure and validation, which can reduce configuration errors but may introduce verbosity and parsing overhead. It remains one option among several XML-based configuration approaches used in scientific and engineering software.