SimpleXML functionsSimpleXML
&reftitle.intro;
&warn.experimental;
The SimpleXML extension provides a very simple and easily usable
toolset to convert XML to an object that can be processed with
normal property selectors and array iterators.
&reftitle.install;
This extension is only available if PHP was configured with
. The
PHP configuration script does this by default.
&reftitle.examples;
Many examples in this reference require an XML string. Instead of
repeating this string in every example, we put it into a file which
we include in each example. This included file is shown in the
following example section. Alternatively, you could create an XML
document and read it with simplexml_load_file.
Include file example.php with XML stringPHP: Behind the ParserMs. CoderOnlivia ActoraMr. CoderEl Actór
So, this language. It's like, a programming language. Or is it a
scripting language? All is revealed in this thrilling horror spoof
of a documentary.
75
XML;
?>
]]>
The simplicity of SimpleXML appears most clearly when one extracts
a string or number from a basic XML document.
Getting <literal><plot></literal>movie[0]->plot; // "So this language. It's like..."
?>
]]>
Accessing non-unique elements in SimpleXML
When multiple instances of an element exist as children of
a single parent element, normal iteration techniques apply.
node, we echo a separate . */
foreach ($xml->movie as $movie) {
echo $movie->plot, ' ';
}
?>
]]>
Using attributes
So far, we have only covered the work of reading element names
and their values. SimpleXML can also access element attributes.
Access attributes of an element just as you would elements
of an array.
nodes of the first movie.
* Output the rating scale, too. */
foreach ($xml->movie[0]->rating as $rating) {
switch($rating['type']) { // Get attributes as element indices
case 'thumbs':
echo $rating, ' thumbs up';
break;
case 'stars':
echo $rating, ' stars';
break;
}
}
?>
]]>
Using Xpath
SimpleXML includes builtin Xpath support.
To find all <character> elements:
xpath('//character') as $character) {
echo $character->name, 'played by ', $character->actor, ' ';
}
?>
]]>
'//' serves as a wildcard. To specify absolute
paths, omit one of the slashes.
Setting values
Data in SimpleXML doesn't have to be constant. The object allows
for manipulation of all of its elements.
movie[0]->actor[0]->age = '21';
echo $xml->asXML();
?>
]]>
The above code will output a new XML document, just like the original,
except that the new XML will define Ms. Coder's age as 21.
DOM Interoperability
PHP has a mechanism to convert XML nodes between SimpleXML
and DOM formats. This example shows how one might change
a DOM element to SimpleXML.
loadXML('blah');
if (!$dom) {
echo 'Error while parsing the document';
exit;
}
$s = simplexml_import_dom($dom);
echo $s->book[0]->title;
?>
]]>
&reference.simplexml.functions;