gofeed - Parse RSS, Atom, and JSON Feeds Effectively

Gofeed: A Robust Feed Parser for Golang

Introduction

gofeed is a comprehensive library designed for developers using the Go programming language, providing an easy-to-use solution for parsing different types of web feeds. Whether dealing with RSS, Atom, or JSON feeds, gofeed simplifies the process of extracting and interpreting data from these ubiquitous online content formats. The library is particularly adept at handling feeds that may not adhere strictly to standards, managing various issues and extensions seamlessly.

Features

Comprehensive Feed Support

RSS: Supports versions from 0.90 to 2.0.
Atom: Works with versions 0.3 and 1.0.
JSON: Compatible with versions 1.0 and 1.1.

Handling Invalid Feeds

One of gofeed's strengths is its ability to effectively manage feeds that are poorly formatted or contain errors. It can handle:

Unescaped markup, which might cause issues in XML parsing.
Undeclared or incorrect use of namespace prefixes.
Missing or illegal XML tags.
Incorrectly formatted dates and other inconsistencies.

Extension Support

gofeed can handle extensions beyond the standard feeds, storing them in structured forms. This is useful for accessing additional data not ordinarily included in feed specifications. The library has built-in support for popular extensions, such as:

Dublin Core: Metadata element set widely used across varied platforms.
Apple iTunes: Specialized extensions for podcast feeds.

Overview

Developers have two main options when working with gofeed:

Universal Feed Parser

The universal parser simplifies the process by allowing users to parse various feed types—RSS, Atom, or JSON—into a single, consistent model. This model makes it easier to manage different formats uniformly. If the default translation doesn't meet specific requirements, developers can implement custom translators.

Specialized Feed Parsers

For those focusing on a single feed format, specialized parsers offer more precise and efficient parsing. RSS, Atom, and JSON specific parsers ensure that the data structures match the feed type exactly.

Basic Usage

Here's a quick guide on how to use the universal parser:

From a URL: Use gofeed.NewParser() to fetch and parse feed data directly from a URL.
From a String: Convert easily between feed data strings and Go structures.
From an io.Reader: Parse feeds from file inputs or other readable streams.
Custom Requests: Customize requests with user agents or timeouts as needed.

Advanced Usage

Developers can leverage more advanced features like basic authentication and custom translators. For instance, if a specific field in an RSS feed needs priority over another, custom translators can be defined and used to tailor the parsing logic.

Dependencies

gofeed relies on several dependencies to offer efficient and fast parsing:

goxpp: An XML pull parser.
goquery: Provides an interface akin to jQuery for Go.
testify: Enhances unit testing capabilities.
jsoniter: Delivers faster JSON parsing.

License and Credits

The project is licensed under the MIT License, allowing for flexible use and modification. It credits several contributors and libraries including:

Mark Pilgrim and Kurt McKee's Universal Feed Parser.
Dan MacTough's node-feedparser.
Other notable contributors for enhancements and features that have inspired gofeed's development.

In summary, gofeed offers a robust, flexible solution for Go developers needing to parse and work with web feeds. Its support for multiple feed formats and extensions, coupled with comprehensive error handling and customization options, make it an essential library for anyone dealing with syndicated web content.