Validate an XSD Schema?

Question

I\'m writing an XML schema (an XSD) to describe the format our partners should send us data in.

And I\'m having a hard time finding a tool that can validate the XSD sche

Answer 1

So, how should I validate an XML schema (XSD)?

The question you ask is a good one. Just "winging it" is likely to get you in trouble. From the Wikipedia article XML Schema Editor (emphasis mine):

The [W3C XML Schema] standard is versatile, allowing for programming concepts such as inheritance and type creation, but it is complex. The standard itself is highly technical and published in 3 different parts, making it difficult to understand without committing large amounts of time.

So, given the complexity of the W3C XML Schema standard, how do you ensure that a schema that you create complies with that standard? From the same Wikipedia article:

The problems users face when working with the XSD standard can be mitigated with the use of graphical editing tools. Although any text-based editor can be used to edit an XML Schema, a graphical editor offers advantages; allowing the structure of the document to be viewed graphically and edited with validation support, entry helpers and other useful features.

At the bottom of that Wikipedia article you'll find a list of XML schema editors, some of which are licensed as "free software."