AIF in AX 2012 R3

Hi to All,

One of my requirement is to read the XML from External to AX 2012.

I don't know about AIF concepts so, that i go with X++  like Excel reading.

I have done my XML reading by X++ but I feel the performance is not good..

AnyOther way to read XML by X++ or if AIF means Please share AIF Concepts in Details.

thanks in Advance,