A named resource is a form of mapping data, such as a map data file or a database table connection, to which a name has been attached. Attaching names to resources offers the following advantages:
- Allows a resource to be known by its name and not by its properties.
- Allows a resource to be located in one spot but be referenced from many locations, which makes administration of resources easier.
- To change the look or behavior of applications or data, only the resource needs to be changed, not each application or data file.
Defining mapping data as named resources enables you to add them to a JCR repository that is accessible to the Repository Service. After a named resource has been added to the repository, you can refer to it by name in XML requests.