XML Output

XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a simple, platform independent method of storing structured information in text-based files. Pocket PC Creations can export data in the XML format to aid integration with other XML enabled software.

To setup an XML Output system, a target folder and filename must be selected. Although the target folder is static, the filename will be evaluated for each data set passing through. It is useful therefore to include variable placeholders in the filename that will evaluate to a unique name for each data set. The available variables are:

• %.guid% - a globally unique identifier used for tracking purposes.
• %.time% - the time (HH-MM) the result was saved.
• %.date% - the date (YYYY-MM-DD) the result was saved.
• %.UnitID% - the Unit ID of the origin device.

For example:
Folder: C:\IncomingOrders
Filename: %.guid%.xml

Data from the session can also be referenced by including point ID names, for example %PointName%.

Pocket PC Creations has two XML output modes: page grouped and ungrouped. In page grouped mode, the points on each page are grouped into a tag:

<NameOfPage>
  <FirstPoint>Data</FirstPoint>
  <SecondPoint>Data</SecondPoint>
</NameOfPage>
<AnotherPage>
  <ThirdPoint>Data</ThirdPoint>
</AnotherPage>

In ungrouped mode, each point exists under the root level, and pages are ignored:

<FirstPoint>Data</FirstPoint>
<SecondPoint>Data</SecondPoint>
<ThirdPoint>Data</ThirdPoint>

In some cases it is helpful to have a schema document for all XML output generated by a particular project. A schema defines the format and acceptable content of an XML document. Pocket PC Creations has the capability to generate a schema for a project from within the configuration dialog.

Two schema formats are supported: the standard XML schema format (XSD), and a slightly different format that is used by Microsoft BizTalk Server.