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XML Methodology

The following examples show how different data types are represented in XML. They mirror how the data structures are represented in JSON.

Simple types​

The representation of loose (not a direct bean property value) simple types are shown below:

Data typeJSON exampleXML
string
'foo'
<string>foo</string>
boolean
true
<boolean>true</boolean>
integer
123
<number>123</number>
float
1.23
<number>1.23</number>
null
null
<null/>
Maps​

Loose maps and beans use the element <object> for encapsulation. _type attributes are added to bean properties or map entries if the type cannot be inferred through reflection (e.g. an Object or superclass/interface value type).

Data typeJSON exampleXML
Map
{
  k1: 'v1',
  k2: null
}
<object>
  <k1>v1</k1>
  <k2 _type='null'/>
</object>
Map
{
  k1: 123,
  k2: 1.23,
  k3: null
}
<object>
  <k1>123</k1>
  <k2>1.23</k2>
  <k3 _type='null'/>
</object>
Map
{
  k1: 'v1',
  k2: 123,
  k3: 1.23,
  k4: true,
  k5: null
}
<object>
  <k1>v1</k1>
  <k2 _type='number'>123</k2>
  <k3 _type='number'>1.23</k3>
  <k4 _type='boolean'>true</k4>
  <k5 _type='null'/>
</object>
Arrays​

Loose collections and arrays use the element <array> for encapsulation.

Data typeJSON exampleXML
String[]
['foo', null]
<array>
  <string>foo</string>
  <null/>
</array>
Number[]
[123, 1.23, null]
<array>
  <number>123</number>
  <number>1.23</number>
  <null/>
</array>
Object[]
['foo', 123, 1.23, true, null]
<array>
  <string>foo</string>
  <number>123</number>
  <number>1.23</number>
  <boolean>true</boolean>
  <null/>
</array>
String[][]
[['foo', null], null]
<array>
  <array>
    <string>foo</string>
    <null/>
  </array>
  <null/>
</array>
int[]
[123]
<array>
  <number>123</number>
</array>
boolean[]
[true]
<array>
  <boolean>true</boolean>
</array>
List<String>
['foo', null]
<array>
  <string>foo</string>
  <null/>
</array>
List<Number>
[123, 1.23, null]
<array>
  <number>123</number>
  <number>1.23</number>
  <null/>
</array>
List<Object>
['foo', 123, 1.23, true, null]
<array>
  <string>foo</string>
  <number>123</number>
  <number>1.23</number>
  <boolean>true</boolean>
  <null/>
</array>
Beans​
Data typeJSON exampleXML
class MyBean {
  public String a;
  public int b;
  public Object c;  // String value
  public Object d;  // Integer value
  public MyBean2 e;
  public String[] f;
  public int[] g;
}

class MyBean2 {
  String h;
}
{
  a: 'foo',
  b: 123,
  c: 'bar',
  d: 456,
  e: {
    h: 'baz'
  },
  f: ['qux'],
  g: [789]
}
<object>
  <a>foo</a>
  <b>123</b>
  <c>bar</c>
  <d _type='number'>456</d>
  <e>
    <h>baz</h>
  </e>
  <f>
    <string>qux</string>
  </f>
  <g>
    <number>789</number>
  </g>
</object>
Beans with Map properties​
Data typeJSON exampleXML
class MyBean {
  public Map<String,String> a;
  public Map<String,Number> b;
  public Map<String,Object> c;
}
{
  a: { k1: 'foo' },
  b: { k2: 123 },
  c: {
    k3: 'bar',
    k4: 456,
    k5: true,
    k6: null
  }
}
<object>
  <a>
    <k1>foo</k1>
  </a>
  <b>
    <k2>123</k2>
  </b>
  <c>
    <k3>bar</k3>
    <k4 _type='number'>456</k4>
    <k5 _type='boolean'>true</k5>
    <k6 _type='null'/>
  </c>
</object>