What is XML?

XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML is a free, open specification for creating information that is readable by any computing platform. XML provides this capability by using simple data syntax conventions. While the XML conventions or standards are simple, they eliminate the complex data transformations that were once necessary. The XML feed available on this website is structured in the following manner:

<sellers>

<seller>
<xdate>1/1/2008</xdate>
<xname>Bank Name</xname>
<city>Baltimore</city>
<xstate>MD</xstate>
<xtype>Purchase</xtype>
<descr>Preferred Stock w/ Exercised Warrants</descr>
<price>9999999</price>
<mech>Par</mech>

</seller>

</sellers>

As you can see, each data field is preceded and followed by a <tag>. These tags are recognizable by a computer. The tags are used to tell a computer what each data field is - a date, for example - and provides information about the relationships of the data fields. These tags are arranged in a parent child relationship. In this feed, the date is a child element of seller and the seller is a child element of sellers.

Per the example, the top and bottom tags define the list as a list of <sellers>. In this case, the sellers are the banks selling assets to the Department of the Treasury.

The next innermost tags define the domain for seller information. Each <seller> is unique and is further described by the data in the final, innermost set of tags. These data fields include: footnote, date, city, state, etc... These tags are present for each seller in the list of sellers.

Any computer platform can interpret this data as it is defined by the tags. Depending on the computing platform, a programmer can 'parse' this data to import directly into a computing system or use the XML file as an end point for data.

How to Use an XML Feed

An XML feed or file may be used in a variety of ways. The easiest way to use the file is to simply open the file in your favorite text editor. You will be able to see all of the data and use the search functionality of your text editor to quickly find specific data.

The next, more complex, way to use the XML file is to import the data into a spreadsheet program. Most spreadsheet programs will recognize the file as XML and provide 'wizards' to walk you through importing the data. The will allow you not only to search the data, but to sort the data as well.

Finally, the XML file can also be used directly as a database or imported into your computer system and 'mashed up'. This level of interaction and integration with the XML file usually requires some expertise and experience with XML. However, these integrations are much easier than if the data were not in XML.