This is a sample XML file that captures all the data required to setup a discussion forum in ILIAS.

<?xml version="1.0" ?>

<forums>

  <forum id="forum1">
     <title></title>
     <introduction></introduction>
     <default_view></default_view>
  </forum>

  <forum id="forum2">
     <title></title>
     <introduction></introduction>
     <default_view></default_view>
  </forum>

</forums>

<discussions>

   <discussion id="discussion1" forumid="forum1">
      <subject></subject>
      <message></message>
   </topic>

   <discussion id="discussion2" forumid="forum2">
      <subject></subject>
      <message></message>
   </discussion>

</discussions>

Default view may be "by_answer" or "by_date".