maxOccurs

maxOccurs is an attribute used in XML Schema Definition (XSD) to specify the maximum number of times an element can appear within its parent element. It is part of the xs:complexType definition for elements. The value of maxOccurs can be either a non-negative integer or the keyword unbounded. When set to a specific integer, it defines the upper limit for the occurrence count. For example, maxOccurs="3" means the element can appear zero, one, two, or three times. If the value is set to unbounded, there is no limit to the number of times the element can appear.

The maxOccurs attribute is often used in conjunction with the minOccurs attribute, which specifies the minimum number of times an element must appear. Together, minOccurs and maxOccurs define the range of valid occurrences for an element. If minOccurs is not specified, it defaults to 1. If maxOccurs is not specified, it defaults to 1. Understanding and correctly applying maxOccurs is crucial for defining well-formed and predictable XML structures, ensuring data integrity and facilitating consistent parsing by applications. It allows for flexibility in data representation while maintaining schema validation.