Abstract: A repository portal includes a repository database, file repository and repository APIs handled by a stream as metadata catalog which lists file and database data in the repository. Access to database and file data is possible via the stream. From a user's point of view, the stream provides a common point from which to access and manage both database data and file data, the distinction being limited to differing storage class keywords in the xMIME typing system. The xMIME typing system “extends” the MIME typing system to add the storage class to the general and specific types. A general class keyword is also preferably added to the xMIME expression for distinctly typing different kinds of content.