WebApp: XML-based Web Application

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XML Database and XML RSS

XML Database and XML RSS

This module is centered around some of the common applications of XML;
XML databases and XML RSS.
XML database are database stored in XML format. The different types of XML
database will be discussed including some examples.
RSS is a powerful application of XML. It provides real time data updates for
websites. Applications and examples of XML RSS will be discussed.

Upon completion of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Discuss what is an XML Database
2. Identify the types of XML Database
3. Discuss what is XML RSS
4. Explain the purpose and advantages of XML RSS

XML Database
XML Database Defined
XML Database is software capable of storing large amounts of data and
information in the XML format.
Some examples of XML Database
a. BaseX f. Sedna
b. Berkeley DB g. IBM DB2
XML Edition (pureXML)
c. eXist h. Microsoft SQL
d. MarkLogic Server
Server i. Oracle Database
e. Qizx j. PostgreSQL

The data stored in the database can be queried using XQuery, serialized, and
exported into desired format.
XQuery is a query and functional programming language that queries and
transforms collections of structured and unstructured data, usually in the
form of XML, text and with vendor-specific extensions for other data formats.

XML Database Types

There are two types of XML Database.; XML-enabled database and Native
XML database

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 a. XML- Enabled Database
XML enabled database is the extension provided for the conversion of XML
document. This is relational database, where data are stored in tables
consisting of rows and columns. The tables contain set of records, which in
turn consist of fields.
XML enabled database is best suited where the majority of data are non-XML.
b. Native XML Database

Native XML database is based on the container rather than table format. It
can store large amount of XML document and data. Native XML database is
queried by the XPath-expressions.
Example of XML database
Below is an example of XML database.
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<album>
<song1>
<title>Your Song</title>
<genre>Rock</genre>
<composer>Danny Tan</composer>
</song1>
<song2>
<title>My Heart</title>
<genre>Pop</genre>
<composer>Mel White</composer>
</song2>
</album>
Figure 1: XML Database Example
In figure 1, table album is created that holds the records song1 and song2,
which in turn consists of three entities – title, genre and composer.

XML RSS
XML RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication/Rich Site Summary. It is
possible to distribute up-to-date web content from one web site to thousands
of other web sites around the world.
XML RSS Features
The following are features of RSS XML
• RSS allows you to syndicate your site content
• RSS defines an easy way to share and view headlines and content
• RSS files can be automatically updated
• RSS allows personalized views for different sites
• RSS is written in XML
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XML Database and XML RSS

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<rss version="2.0">

<channel>
<title>Online Tutorials</title>
<link>https://www.tutorial.com</link>
<description>Online Education</description>
<item>
<title>Java Programming</title>
<link>https://www.tutorials.com/java </link>
<description>Java Programming Tutorial</description>
</item>
<item>
<title>HTML Tutorial</title>
<link>https://www.tutorial.com/html</link>
<description>HTML Tutorial</description>
</item>
</channel>

</rss>
Figure 2: XML RSS Example

XML RSS Purpose and Advantages

XML RSS has ton of usage and benefits, below is a summary.
Purpose of RSS
RSS was designed to display selected data. RSS can check sites automatically
for new updates using a program that gathers and sorts out RSS feeds called
RSS aggregator.
RSS data is small and fast-loading; it can easily be used with services like
Smart Phones
RSS is useful for web sites that are updated frequently, like:
a. News sites
Lists news with title, date and descriptions
b. Companies
Lists news and new products
c. Calendars
Lists upcoming events and important days
d. Site changes
Lists changed pages or new pages
Advantages of XML RSS
Below is a summary of the advantages of using XML RSS.
a. Choose your news

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 With RSS you can choose to view the news you want, the news that interest
you and are relevant to your work.
b. Remove unwanted information
With RSS you can separate wanted information from unwanted information
c. Increase your site traffic
With RSS you can create your own news channel, and publish it to the
Internet

Glossary
Native XML database: This is based on the container rather than table
format. It can store large amount of XML document and data. Native XML
database is queried by the XPath-expressions.

XML Database: This is a software capable of storing large amounts of data

and information in the XML format.

XML Enabled database: This is the extension provided for the conversion of
XML document.

XQuery: This is a query and functional programming language that queries

and transforms collections of structured and unstructured data, usually in
the form of XML, text and with vendor-specific extensions for other data
formats

XML RSS: This stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is possible to

distribute up-to-date web content from one web site to thousands of other
web sites around the world.

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals
Goldberg, K. H. ;2010; XML Visual Quick Start Guide .2nd Edition; United
States of America; Peachpit
Press.Nguyen, V. ;2017; Using XML. United States of America; Amazon Digital
Services LLC.
Online Supplementary Reading Materials
XML RSS; https://www.w3schools.com/xml/xml_rss.asp; Accessed on
8/7/2017
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XML Database and XML RSS

XML Database; https://www.tutorialspoint.com/xml/xml_databases.htm;

Accessed on 8/7/2017
XML Enabled Database;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML_database#XML_Enabled_databases;
Accessed on 8/7/2017
Native XML DB;
https://www.xml.com/pub/a/2001/10/31/nativexmldb.html; Accessed on
8/7/2017
Instructional Videos
Lecture -40 XML Databases;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhvZMspVCbI; Accessed on 8/7/2017
How to Create an RSS feed Using XML;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G6stczapyk; Accessed on 8/7/2017

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