The xsdb framework provides a flexible and well defined infrastructure to allow tabular data to be published, retrieved, and combined over the Internet.

The xsdb development effort aims to make it just as easy to publish structured data using xsdb format and tools as it is to publish documents using HTML format and browsers.

This document explains what xsdb and xFeedMe can do for you.

Helping Wolfgang bring you business

There is a lot of digital information out there, and most of it is very easy to view, but it is mostly very hard to use. For example if you run a business you might like to make it easy for people to find out your contact information, the products and services you offer, and your hours of operation. It is very easy to put this information on a web site, IsabelsBusiness, but when your friend Wolfgang would like to republish this information on his web site (WolfgangsList) using his indexing software, things usually get more difficult.

Here's where xsdb can help. To make it easy for Wolfgang or anyone else to publish your business information you make the information available as one or several xsdb context data files. Wolfgang can then use the xsdb software to load and reformat the data according to his needs easily, and to combine the information with information from other businesses and data sources. He can then extract the information and load it into his software on his site using very simple programs.

But can't you do this already?

It is possible to publish structured data using other technologies, but xsdb is easier to use and more flexible.

• xsdb data files are self describing: field names and data types are explicitly provided with the data. You do not need to create a data description document, or schema specification.
• The xsdb query engine automatically understands and manipulates the xsdb format with the same ease and power as an SQL database engine manipulates relational tables. Wolfgang does not need to write any software in order to parse and interpret your data.
• The xsdb format also allows hierarichal (non-flat) data organization. Your data can be grouped in an intuitive manner and Wolfgang can easily filter and reorganize your data, and combine it with data from other sources.
• xsdb data is portable. xsdb queries may be processed and presented directly on web pages using the javascript xsdb implementaion. Alternatively, xsdb queries may be executed on servers or under environments using the python, java, or C# implementations.
• xsdb does AJAX. Since both the client (javascript) and server (python, java, C#) can easily interpret and manipulate xsdb queries and replies, xsdb makes implementing Asyncronous Javascript with XML (AJAX) communication components easy.

For more information on the design goals of xsdb and how xsdb compares to other approaches please go to http://xsdb.sourceforge.net/motivation.html

What does XFeedMe have to do with it?

xFeedMe.com is intended to facilitate the use of the xsdb platform by

• providing example programs and applications using xsdb technology;
• publishing xsdb formatted data;
• offering xsdb formatted data feeds; and
• providing other related services.