Download an XML file using a REST api

Question

I need to write a REST api which would send an XML file as response. I am confused with what MediaType should be defined as the response.

 @Produces(MediaType.APPLICATION_OCTET_STREAM)

or

 @Produces(MediaType.APPLICATION_XML)

The API will be served from a GET request and I want the file to be downloaded in the client side.

Possible duplicate of [Valid content-type for XML, HTML and XHTML documents](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2965587/valid-content-type-for-xml-html-and-xhtml-documents) — Tim, Oct 14 '15 at 09:55

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 14 '15 at 09:52

0

I will go with @Produces(MediaType.APPLICATION_XML), as the @Produces(MediaType.APPLICATION_OCTET_STREAM) is a constant for application/octet-stream which is usually used for binary type (such as video, music and stuff)

answered Oct 14 '15 at 09:52

kucing_terbang

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 14 '15 at 09:53

I suggest dont send file directly. read file at server end and send the file content as a response.

so it will look like

@GET
@Produce("application/xml")
    public Response sendData(){
      //code to read file and store in a string object

     return Response.built.ok(string object);
    }

Download an XML file using a REST api

2 Answers2