Rss Web Service
A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Frances Rhea
What is Rss Web Service?
RSS is one of the simplest forms of what is known as a Web Service. Rich Site Summary (RSS) is an XML format designed for sharing headlines and other Web content. This is like a continuing "What's New" update for your site. It is an easy way to distribute your news.
What a Rss File Contains
All you need is the content you want to broadcast and a single RSS text file. Each RSS text file contains static information about your site, and dynamic information on your new stories surrounded by matching start and end tags.
Each RSS web service channel can contain up to 15 items. It can easily be parsed using Perl, ASP, or PHP.
A RSS file contains 4 main elements: channel, image, items, and text input. RSS web service is an XML application and begin with theXML1.0declarationfollowed by the RSS document type declaration.
The Channel Section in Rss Web Service
The channel is a required element that includes the name of the channel, description, language, and a URL. The URL points to the channel's source of information. The remaining channel tags describe the channel and allow it to be displayed in HTML. The title is a headline link with the description following.
You can include nine optional tags such as the PICS Rating, Copyright Identifier, Publication Date, and Webmaster. For additional information on Channel tags, check the RSS web service specifications.
The Image Section in Rss Web Service
The image element is optional and is used to include the logo of the channel provider. The default image size is 88 pixels wide by 31 pixels high. You can make your logo as large as 144 pixels wide by 400 pixels wide.
The Items in Rss Web Service
Items are the most important elements in a channel. They form the dynamic part of an RSS file. Channel items are rendered as news headlines, and the value depends on frequent changes.
The Text Input
The text input area is an optional element. Text input lets the user respond to your channel. This feature can enable your users to subscribe to your newsletter or search your site.
Rss Web Service Conclusion
Using a RSS feed web service can provide your web site with the dynamic, constantly updated information necessary to keep your visitors returning to your web site. These files are simple to create when using any text editor or one of the many online web sites that provide a RSS creation service. Then it is simply a matter of pasting your RSS feed into your current page. Updating the information is just as easy since it is also done with a text editor.
All you have to do is open the file and insert your new information. Other web site owners could also use your information in their own web sites which will provide you with an additional source of new visitors to your site.
