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WebDAV: Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning

Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) is a protocol that extends HTML by enabling users to collaboratively edit and manage files on a remote web server. One can view HTTP as providing read access to files on the Web while WebDAV provides write-access. WebDAV is often employed as both a network file system and a protocol for manipulating the contents of a document management system via the Web.

In its current form, WebDAV features include locking that prevents two collaborators from editing the same document at the same time, namespace manipulation, and XML properties. Future versions are being designed to incorporate version and configuration management and access control. WebDAV is an open protocol and can be used by developers to create multiple-author websites and applications even across geographical boundaries.

Additional Resources:

• More Information can be found at the official webpage, http://www.webdav.org. There you will also find an FAQ, Specifications, and Links to Papers and Articles are also available here.
• Microsoft has some WebDAV related links, they have had interview with Jim Whitehead, Chair of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) WebDAV and also an article on Communicating XML Data Over the Web with WebDAV.
• OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards), has a summary about WebDAV and reference links.

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