The sample XML report rendering extension is a plug-in that can export BIRT report data in XML format. Typically, report developers render BIRT report data to XML to enable sharing data with another application.
For example, business-to-business (B2B) systems must transmit data to customers and trading partners in a consistent way that supports interoperability according to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards. These systems use specialized forms of XML such as Electronic Business eXtensible Markup Language (ebXML). A custom XML report rendering extension can render BIRT report data in a format that is consistent with this established standard.
The sample XML report rendering extension provides the following capabilities:
Exports BIRT report data in XML format
The XML report rendering plug-in renders each report element and writes to the output file, <report_name>.xml.
Defines a public API for rendering BIRT reports in XML format
The plug-in extends the functionality defined by the org.eclipse.birt .report.engine.emitter extension point defined in the org.eclipse.birt .report.engine plug-in.
Supports the user specifying an XML schema for formatting output
During the rendering process, the sample plug-in processes all the elements in the report design, exporting XML properties and related data to the output file. Optionally, the plug-in supports mapping the report elements to an XML schema to provide additional formatting for output.
The plug-in defines these mappings in the property file, <report_name>.xmlemitter. The plug-in reads the property file at run time and loads the custom tags.
Exports BIRT report data in XML format