XML Feed Block
Digest
An XML Feed Block is a block whose XML content is pulled from a web location. This can be useful when aggregating outside RSS links, or receiving output from dynamic scripts or web applications that produce XML. This is the main method by which Cascade allows external content to come into the system and be used dynamically within system pages.
Concept
XML Feed Blocks have one parameter, the feed URL, which is the location that will respond with an XML document. Cascade Server will then take that XML content and populate the block with it. The block can then be styled using an XSL stylesheet and included in a page region just like any other block in the system.
Technical
Creating XML Feed Blocks in Cascade
To create an XML Feed block:
- In the Home area, select New -> Default -> Block.
- Select the type of block you are creating. In this case, it will be Feed Block.
- On the Content pane:
Type the URL of the feed you wish to use.
- On the Metadata pane:
Enter any Metadata desired. - On the System pane:
Name - Type in the name of your new block.
Parent Folder - This is where the block will be stored. It's most useful to store blocks in a central or common location. - Click Submit to save your block.
XML feed blocks may be edited or deleted by selecting the block and choosing the appropriate tab.
More on XML Feed Blocks for Administrators and Managers
A feed block is defined in the following WSDL:
A feed block represents a block that pulls in XML content from an external source/feed, and as such, it contains one property for specifying the URL of that XML feed, "feedURL". This is of type anyURI (for more information about this data type, see http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/#anyURI).