Schema-based file conversion

摘要

Methods and apparatus for performing file conversions. In one aspect of the invention, a conversion engine contained in a base program or application program performs conversions based upon "schemas" contained in one or more secondary programs, such as plug-ins. Optionally, the schemas describe each format in which the current and previous versions of the plug-in read and write data. The conversion engine optionally identifies the source and target schemas and outputs a streamed representation of the persistent data in a format compatible with the current version of the secondary program.