views:

33

answers:

1

How might one dynamically generate a temporary RSS feed, on the fly, from a list of links that point to videos, for example?

A: 

Check the specifications for RSS-feeds, e.g. here:

http://www.rss-specifications.com/ or http://www.atomenabled.org/developers/syndication/atom-format-spec.php, there's tons, just check Google.

Then iterate through your list and build the appropriate XML.

Select0r
Yeah, the format for an RSS feed is simple enough; I guess what I'm wondering is, can build an XML file "on the fly" with php or javascript?
Benjamin Allison
Hmmm... here's the thing though: the list of links that I want to base the RSS on from text in a Wordpress post. And, this text will change so the XML needs to be generated temporarily/on the fly.A user hits the page, reads the post, which contains links, and then has the option to Download to Ipod. This is needs to happen as a "podcast" so that all the videos are grouped together in iTunes, etc. But again, it needs to be temporary, since the content might change.
Benjamin Allison
Link you "Download to iPod"-link to a PHP-file which will generate the XML-file and send it to the browser with the content-type "application/rss+xml" (as Kwebble wrote).
Select0r
Nice! So, will XML files simply accumulate on the server, or can they be "temporary"?Also, not to be a leech, but are there any good tuts to get me started on creating files server side? I'm very junior as far as PHP goes. :)Regardless, thanks all!
Benjamin Allison
XML "files" are not created at all if you do it this way, the PHP-file will just "deliver" the XML, nothing accumulates. To get started with PHP, get some books, google tutorials, learn by doing.
Select0r
Sweet. Makes sense! Thanks.
Benjamin Allison
Feel free to accept my answer then ;)
Select0r