Working with XML in iFS

iFS is a simple way for developer's to work with XML, where iFS serves as the repository for XML. iFS can perform the following tasks on XML documents:

• Automatically parse XML and store content in tables and columns

• Render the XML file's content

When a file is requested, it delivers select information, for example, on the web.

iFS also supports an extensible way of defining new file types and provides built-in support for defining, parsing, and rendering file types that are XML documents.

Rather than just store the XML data, Oracle iFS makes it possible to unlock the full potential of XML for implementing business intelligence, generating dynamic content, and sharing data across applications.

Supply a Document Descriptor

In iFS, when registering an XML-based file type, you supply a document descriptor that specifies the following:

• Your file type's XML document structure

• How it should be stored in the database

For example, you can save your document in its complete form in a Large Object (LOB) in the database.

Oracle iFS document descriptors use an XML-based syntax to describe the structure (or "schema") of its XML-based file types.

When a file is saved or sent to iFS, it recognizes the document as one of your file types, parses its XML, and stores the data in tables as you have specified in the document descriptor.

The same information is used to render, that is, reassemble for delivery, the XML document when a particular instance of your filetype is requested through any iFS supported protocols.

For more information see http://technet.oracle.com/products/ifs/

See Also: Oracle Internet File System Developer's Guide.