Message Definition editor

The Message Definition editor is the default editor provided by the Broker Application Development perspective for editing message definition (.mxsd) files.

The editor is launched in the editor area when you open an existing message definition file using the Resource Navigator or when you create a new message definition file using the New Message Definition File wizard.

You use the Message Definition editor to:

Message Definition editor views

The Message Definition editor has the following views:

Resource Navigator view
The Resource Navigator shows a hierarchical view of all the resources that are currently in your workspace. By expanding the folder for a message set project, you can see the resources, including message definition file or files, that this message set project contains.
Outline view
You use the Outline view to select message set objects to display in the editor area. When you open a message definition file, the Outline view shows a hierarchical view of the messages, types, groups and elements and attributes that the selected message definition contains.
Editor view
You edit the properties of message set objects in the editor area, which displays the message definition information for the object that you have currently selected in the Outline view. There are tabs across the top of the editor area for each file that you have open, so that you can quickly switch between them.

In the editor area, you can make any of the following types of change:

  • Edit the logical structure of a message.
  • Create and edit the physical structure and properties of a message.
  • Create message definitions.
  • Create common constructs within a message set for use with other message definition files.

The Message Definition editor comprises an Overview editor and a Properties editor. You switch between them by clicking the two tabs in the bottom left of the editor area. You can change the order in which the tabs are displayed by changing the message set preferences.

Tasks view
Each time you save a change within a message set project, the content is validated to ensure that the message model follows certain rules. Any informational, warning or error messages relating to the validation appear in the task list. Double clicking a message displays the properties of the relevant object in the editor area and shows the location of this object by highlighting the appropriate levels in the Resource Navigator, and the Outline view.

Message Definition editor functions

For information on the functions that the Message Definition editor provides, refer to the following topics: