Virtual File Services (VFS) provides file system API access to non-file system entities through six basic file system functions: create, delete, open, close, read, and write.
VFS allows not only the file system, but any service provided by a server to be managed through simple file system functions. Because Web browsers operate through simple functions, this functionality opens the ability to have virtual files that generate XML or HTML. Managing your file system is now as easy as opening your favorite browser and accessing the appropriate files.
You can also create your own virtual files using more advanced features that are discussed in later sections.
HINT:Use the CDATA element to pass strings that contain special characters. CDATA is an XML standard, and the information in a CDATA element is not parsed.
The following topics are discussed in this section: