RSS Interfaces and Standards Chander Iyer

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Web data format providing users with frequently updated content. Make a collection of web feeds available using a simple, subscription-based model based on XML specifications. Idea much more safer and advantageous to publishing via popular media e.g. .

RSS – How it works Content Provider publishes a feed link to their content source which “end users” register with an Aggregator/Feed Reader running on User M/Cs. On User-instruction, Aggregator queries all Servers in the Feed list ; Hence an example of a Pull Technology. But Feed Readers also pumps content through “Live Feeds” to subscribed users ; Hence an example of Push Technology as well.

Tying it Together

RSS – Structure & Interfaces RSS documents must conform to the XML 1.0 standard, as published by W3C Consortium. For RSS 2.0, the root tag (container) is “rss” with at least 1 channel in the file, which is the website address providing the information. To generate RSS feeds –Use PHP libraries provided for RSS. It builds the XML from the titles and descriptions of pages from various content pages. –Use specialized tools e.g..NET framework provides System- XML to generate feeds. For publishing the XML file a link like MyRSS

RSS – Structure (Contd.) Mandatory tags for channel – title, link, description, item (stores the content). Mandatory tags for item tag - title, link, description. Typical Structure as shown below

RSS – Structure (Contd.) Then made available to browsers when they enter and display the page by activating them. To activate them, the following line is inserted into the source code of the page