Xelemendid

Xelemendid are a theoretical construct in modular data modeling used to represent loosely coupled, reusable components that can be assembled into larger systems. They function as building blocks that maintain identity across configurations, enabling dynamic composition while minimizing hard-coded dependencies.

Each xelement carries a minimal schema consisting of a unique identifier, a concrete type, optional metadata, and a set of attributes. They may be nested, linked via references, or extended with additional properties as needed by the hosting framework.

Common categorizations include primitive xelement (holding a basic value), container xelement (holding a collection of child xelemendid), and reference xelement (pointing to another element within the model). Some implementations also define behavior xelement that exposes hooks or methods.

Xelemendid are declared in a model definition and instantiated at runtime by a configuration or orchestration layer. They are typically serialized in a structured format such as JSON or YAML, using fields like id, type, name, and attributes. For example, an xelement with id 'e1', type 'primitive', and value '42' represents a simple data unit; a container xelement aggregates several child xelemendid.

Use cases include configuration management, plugin architectures, and dynamic user interfaces, where components are selected and composed by identity rather than explicit wiring. This approach supports extension, reusability, and easier evolution of large software systems.

Xelemendid are related to, but distinct from, standard XML elements, JSON objects, or graph nodes. The emphasis is on modular identity and inter-element linking rather than a specific syntax. Adoption requires careful lifecycle management to avoid cycles and inconsistencies.

See also: modular data model, component-based architecture, configuration management.