DataLists and RSS Feeds

RSS is an acronym for "Really Simple Syndication." RSS is a simple XML based system that lets users subscribe to content such as news or website updates and then aggregates it into a single location using RSS aware software. An RSS Feed is a list of notifications or changes to a set of data. With this feature you can target important information to members of your organization. Users who subscribe to the RSS feed can view the information as it is updated in the program. For example, an RSS feed can supply the person responsible for a special event with up-to-date registration information. RSS allows you to distribute a list of content that is subject to change on an unpredictable schedule to a wide number of people. A RSS Feed solves the problem of having to repeatedly check a web site or application for changes to a set of information. RSS Readers can automatically access RSS Feeds on your behalf and organize the results for you. RSS Readers are also known as RSS Aggregators. Some aggregators are accessed by a web browser or email application. RSS Feeds are addressable via a URL. You can provide the URL web address to an RSS reader and the reader or aggregator will monitor the feed for you.

The Relationship between DataLists and RSS Feeds

A data list is a set of data that is based upon a Transact-SQL query. The data in the data list will most likely contain data that changes infrequently. If the data is valuable enough to distribute to end users and it changes infrequently, it may make sense to create a RSS Feed from the data list. Fortunately for us, Infinity makes it easy to do so.

Within Infinity, a RSS Feed is created from and is linked to a data list. We can create a data list using a DataListSpec via the Infinty SDK or we create an ad-hoc query to review data; followed by creating a user defined data list from the ad-hoc query. When we create a data list, we have the option of creating an RSS feed along with the data list.