IBM webMethods Hybrid Integration

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Attaching a PDF document into an XML message

  • 1.  Attaching a PDF document into an XML message

    Posted Fri February 25, 2005 07:15 PM

    Hi All,

    Can anyone direct me as to how can a pdf document be added in an XML message. Meaning:

    <rootxmltag>
    <name>webMethodsIS1</name>
    <lastname>Developer</lastname>
    <pdfdata>…PDF file attached here </pdfdata>
    </rootxmltag>

    In the above xml message I want the pdfData tag to hold the pdf file information. This file will be posted to a webservice which will extract the pdfData content, convert and save the pdf file locally. Can something like this be done using IS built-in services?

    Any information is appreciated.

    Thanks


    #Flow-and-Java-services
    #Integration-Server-and-ESB
    #webMethods


  • 2.  RE: Attaching a PDF document into an XML message

    Posted Mon February 28, 2005 04:13 AM

    To carry binary data within an XML tag, the most convenient approach is Base 64 encoding the content (use pub.string:base64Encode):

    <rootxmltag>
    <name>webMethodsIS1</name>
    <lastname>Developer</lastname>
    <pdfdata>=2ady46js09agadj04yhlkjd8rjlfg…</pdfdata>
    </rootxmltag>

    I understand base64 encoding adds 37% to the message size than absolutely essential (since HTTP is an 8-bit transfer protocol). If size is a huge worry, you could try the methods below:

    You could also embed binary data directly in the XML document using the CDATA tag. I haven’t tried that. This article describes it well:
    [url=“http://builder.com.com/5100-6374-1050529.html#Listing%20A”]http://builder.com.com/5100-6374-1050529.html#Listing%20A[/url]

    Last month W3C put out a new standard on attaching binary data to XML documents:
    [url=“XML-binary Optimized Packaging”]http://www.w3.org/TR/2005/REC-xop10-20050125/[/url]
    It’s an unfortunate looking implementation full of namespaces. I bet WM doesn’t currently support it either, so you’ll have to write your own handler. I wouldn’t bother with it.


    #Integration-Server-and-ESB
    #Flow-and-Java-services
    #webMethods