Web Programming: RSS Feeds

 

RSS, also known as "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary," is the standard method used to the syndication of Web content. RSS's XML-based format allows select information to be published only once, yet be viewed by several programs simultaneously. It is primarily used to publish frequently updated works (such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video) in a universal format. RSS benefits readers who wish to subscribe to timely updates from favored websites or to acquire feeds from several sites into one location.

 

A web site that wants to allow additional sites to publish portions of its content will first create an RSS document and register it with an RSS publisher. Let's say a user subscibes to a particular web feed such as ESPN.com to get the scores of the game. The RSS reader would then check all of the user's subscribed feeds on a regular basis in search for updates or new postings; in this case, the most current scores of the game.