Software Data Export in Extensible Markup Language (XML) Format

COMPRESS exports data on pressure vessels and heat exchangers in XML format. XML stands for Extensible Markup Language, which is a more structured form of HTML and has become the language of choice for communication between computer programs.

There are numerous advantages to XML including the fact that it is a widely implemented, vendor independent standard, and is also system independent. An XML file is written in plain text so it is easy to read, understand and modify, and does not require the use of expensive proprietary software to access, just a plain text editor. Also, XML documents can be hierarchical, so along with the data there is also a link between components. A simple hierarchical example would be a Nozzle on a Cylinder:

<Cylinder>
          <nozzle>
            ...
          </nozzle>
</Cylinder>

Another benefit of XML is that it protects your investment in custom software because extensions to our XML data structure won't break software written using the previous schema.

COMPRESS exports a large amount of information in XML for every vessel/exchanger, such as:

• Physical dimensions
• Materials of construction
• Design specifications
• Component minimum thickness (t_min)
• Calculated forces and moments
• MAWP for each component
• Component weights

The specification for this file is the schema, a roadmap which will enable you to extract desired information from the XML file for a particular vessel. This will enable you to manipulate the vessel data for your own purposes, which may include:

• Develop company specific reports and mechanical calculations
• Importing information directly into your Costing System
• Weight calculation different from that offered by COMPRESS
• Your own 3D modeling program for conversion to PDS or PDMS models
• Perform Fitness for Service calculations using extracted minimum thickness (tmin)

Hopefully our customers will discover practical applications that we haven't even considered, making the COMPRESS output even more useful.

Codeware hereby places the schema for pressure vessels and heat exchangers which it has developed into the public domain. All parties are invited to use this schema for private and commercial purposes free of charge and are encouraged to be generous in sharing whatever they develop with the engineering community. Establishing a standard XML pressure vessel and heat exchanger schema will benefit everyone. Please contact us and register so that we may assist you in this endeavor.

To illustrate how to apply XML technology we have provided an example application, XML Reader. XML Reader is a basic application that reads any output XML file (*.xml) created by COMPRESS and displays a comprehensive list of specific vessel data such as dimensions, design conditions, materials, etc. The XML Reader is meant for illustrative purposes only and Codeware assumes no liability and expresses no warranty in the use of this program.

Note 1: To activate XML output check the box "Export to XML" located in Set Mode/Environment. Output for vessels and exchangers will have the filename extension *.xml. The schema is called PresureVessel.xsd and is in the directory holding the COMPRESS compwin.exe file.

Note 2: If you get the error "Run-time error '429': Active X component can't create object," then the required Microsoft XML Parser is not installed. For instructions on how to install the Parser visit Microsoft .

Contact us about using the COMPRESS XML schema.