Specifying the workflow root element

Use the workflow root element (<workflow>) to specify the XMLSchema-instance namespace, and optionally, a schema location.

For example:

<workflow xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
                xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="workflow_v1.xsd">

The workflow element must end with a closing element: </workflow>.

Between the starting and ending element is the body of the workflow definition.

The schema file location specified here is ignored by the Workflows task when it validates an imported workflow definition file. You might find it helpful, however, to use a language-sensitive text editor when creating your workflow definition file. The path you specify indicates the location (relative to the file being edited if expressed as a relative path name) of the schema. Such editors can provide immediate feedback if you violate a rule of the schema, and might provide type-ahead support as you enter elements and attributes.

Though you might develop your workflow primarily on your workstation, and even though your editor is not flagging any errors, you do not know for sure that you have created a valid workflow until after you have imported it into the Workflows task of z/OSMF. Observe the following coding considerations:

Differences exist among the various implementations of XML schema validators. Thus, a workflow definition file that validates in your text editor might not validate when it is imported into the Workflows task.
The Workflows task performs additional validation that is not enforced by the schema, for example, validating that any message or template files that are referenced in the workflow actually exist on the z/OS system.