PAD is an acronym
for Portable Application Description. This is a document file format that has
specified qualities and is machine readable. It was designed and introduced in
2000 by the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) who registered it as a
trademark. A large number of software publishers utilizes this software in down
loading applications. The ASP PAD committee manages the specification of PAD.
Software authors use PAD to provide product specification and standardization
to online sources.
The PAD uses XML
schema that allows program librarians and webmasters in automating new program
listings and updating existing ones in their catalogues. This software saves
time for webmasters and authors in that it allows its specification in
supporting advanced changes to hardware and operating systems.
PAD files usually
have .PAD or .XML file extension at the end. Its specification uses very unique
tags which are free of any attributes. This means that it uses a XML syntax that
uses no names and does not value pairs. If many languages are present in a PAD
file, it is necessary to do a correct parsing descending through the path since
these leaf tags is a duplication of the each language. There is a regular
expression which acts as a constraint in each field. Files are correctly named
PAD files if they conform to the specifications. These regular expressions
should match with the field value so that the file can be regarded as a PAD
file otherwise it will not be regarded as such.
These PAD files
enable software authors to give online sources with their product information
to internet users. This type of files enables the user to store all the
information of a product in one place including the product specification,
price, product specifications, system requirements, price, file names, contact
information, and many others.
PAD files are
easy to create as because the ASP has put a wide range of free tools that help
you create, maintain and modify your own PAD files. Once you have designed and
created your own PAD file, you should place it in two different locations.
Place one file in your ZIP file for people to access the information they need
while distributing your software and the other in your own website for people
access.
The PAD file
format was created to overcome the many challenges encountered by the software
authors including the need to frequently updating of information in their
programs. PAD was created to make it simple for synchronization of information
between software developers and their promoters since it allows all software
information to be updated on a developer's website from a single location. This
file also allows for software's to be listed in the shortest time to many
sites.
Did you know that
you can use PAD files to promote your own web site, gain lots of new backlinks
to it and therefore the opportunity for more traffic via those links through a
PAD file submission. Here’s a free ebook which takes you through the process from
start to finish using a step-by-step approach. Please click here to download your copy.