5.1

Table Of Contents
XML Representations in the vCloud
API 12
The vCloud API represents objects in a cloud as XML documents in which object properties are contained in
elements and attributes that have typed values and an explicit object hierarchy defined by an XML schema.
Schema reference information is available as a download.
Client programs of RESTful Web services must be able to request object representations from the server, parse
the server’s responses to extract the information they contain, and compose requests that, in many cases, are
based on the information extracted from a response. Developers of such clients must understand the structure
of each representation that might be part of a request or response, and any requirements that the network
protocol (HTTP) places on client-server interaction.
Schemas
Each vCloud API object is defined in an XML schema document. Some objects are defined in their own schema
documents. Others are defined in the context of the larger schema in which they are used. Still others are
defined in a common schema document, from which other schemas inherit. Schema files and reference
information about all elements, types, and operations is included in the schema reference download. See
“About the Schema Reference,” on page 21.
vCloud Director uses a validating XML parser that requires elements in XML documents to agree in order and
number with the schema. Required elements must appear in request bodies. All elements that appear in request
bodies must appear in the order established by the schema, and with content that conforms to the type
constraint specified in the schema. Default values, where defined, are supplied for elements that are empty.
See “XML Namespace Identifiers,” on page 309.
Date and Time Values
Values of type xs:dateTime are always interpreted as UTC if a timezone has not been explicitly specified.
Length Limits on Element and Attribute String Values
String values for the name attribute, Description element, and ComputerName have length limitations that depend
on the object to which they are attached.
Table 12-1. Length Limits on Element and Attribute String Values
Object Element or Attribute Name Maximum Length in Characters
Vdc name
256
Vdc Description
256
VApp name
128
VApp Description
256
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