MeshML should be used for the description of a set of finite elements, independent of the fields which may be defined on those elements. The key parts of mesh and field definition may be split up as follows :

• Elements : The number of elements, how many element coordinates each element has, and their range, default (0->1).
• Connectivity : The boundaries between elements, described in terms of local coordinates.

• Ensemble Field Parameters : The set of linearly independent parameters that define the field globally.
• Basis Functions : Basis functions for each element field parameter in each element.
• Linear Map : A mapping between the ensemble field parameters and the element field parameters.
• Constraints : Alternatively, constraints on the field can be defined - either as constraints at element boundaries, or as linear equations equating the element field parameters from different elements. From these constraints, a linear map can be generated using least squares or SVD techniques.

• Global Coordinates : This lets us calculate scale factors.
• Mesh : A definition of a single mesh.
• Fields : Definition of multiple fields.