Atom (standard)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Atom is an XML-based document format for the syndication of web content such as weblogs and news headlines, and an HTTP-based protocol for editing weblogs based on the format.

1 History
2 Example
3 See also
4 External links

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History

In June 2003, Sam Ruby set up a wiki with the intention of discussing what makes "a well-formed log entry". People quickly started using the wiki to discuss a new syndication format to replace RSS. In short order, a RoadMap[1] was built, and this attracted an extensive list of supporters. It also became clear that the new format could also form the basis of a more robust replacement for blog editing protocols such as Blogger API and LiveJournal XML-RPC Client/Server Protocol.

After this point, discussion became chaotic, due to the lack of a decision-making process. The project also lacked a name, with "Pie," "Echo," and "Necho" used before settling on Atom. After releasing a project snapshot known as Atom 0.2 in early July, discussion moved to a newly set up mailing list. The next and final snapshot during this phase was Atom 0.3, released in December. This version gained widespread adoption in syndication tools, and in particular it was added to several Google-related services, such as Blogger and Gmail.

2004 began with discussion of moving the project to a standards body such as the W3 Consortium or the IETF. The group eventually chose the IETF, and the Atompub Working Group was formally setup in June 2004, finally giving the project a charter and process. Initial development focused on the syndication format, and after a series of drafts, Atom 1.0 was published in July 2005 and was accepted as a "proposed standard" in August, the last step before becoming an RFC Internet Standard.

As of August 2005, work continues on the publishing protocol and various extensions to the syndication format. The latest developments, issues, ideas, and pointers to the latest specifications can be found on the FrontPage Atom Wiki.

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Example

An example of an Atom Feed document:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">

 <title>Example Feed</title>
 <subtitle>Insert witty or insightful remark here</subtitle>
 <link href="http://example.org/"/>
 <updated>2003-12-13T18:30:02Z</updated>
 <author>
   <name>John Doe</name>
   <email>johndoe@example.com</email>
 </author>
 <id>urn:uuid:60a76c80-d399-11d9-b91C-0003939e0af6</id>

 <entry>
   <title>Atom-Powered Robots Run Amok</title>
   <link href="http://example.org/2003/12/13/atom03"/>
   <id>urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a</id>
   <updated>2003-12-13T18:30:02Z</updated>
   <summary>Some text.</summary>
 </entry>

</feed>

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