Specifying attribute values as CDATA

Question

Can one specify XML attribute values as CDATA ? If yes - what would be the schema for the same. If not - why is this limitation not addressed in XML ?

Answer 1

No you cannot do this.

There's a very fine line (and a very large debate) between what compromises an attribute and what contributes a child element. See here for example.

That given, the "limitation" isn't addressed in XML because it doesn't exist. You always have the ability to put this data in a child element, and in fact I would go so far as to say that if you even have to think about this, an element is the correct structure.

Edit: More reading material

• The Attribute/Text Conundrum
• Principles of XML design: When to use elements versus attributesl
• w3schools take

Answer 2

The way you handle that is to use a child element rather than an attribute.