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.NET Forum / .NET Framework / XML / August 2007guidance on writing XML
I'm creating some XML documents in my C# .net 2.0 code. To date I've mostly only read XML. Now I'm writing it and I'm struggling to figure out the best ways to do it and the best classes to use. Essentially I'm starting with a XML file that contains the root and start and end elements and I want to add instances of a child element to the file. Since XMLWriter is forward-only, it seemed to not be the best tool but maybe I'm misunderstanding it. I then moved on to XPathNavigator but am stumbling trying to add some CDATA. I've googled for some code samples but haven't turned anything definitive up. Any links to some good examples or just general guidance on this? Can I position the cursor with XMLWriter such that I can add child elements to an existing XML file or is it more for creating XML docs from scratch in one shot? Thanks Darren > I'm creating some XML documents in my C# .net 2.0 code. To date I've > mostly only read XML. Now I'm writing it and I'm struggling to figure [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > with XMLWriter such that I can add child elements to an existing XML > file or is it more for creating XML docs from scratch in one shot? If you have an existing XML document and want to manipulate it then System.Xml.XmlDocument and the DOM implementation is the right tool, load the existing document with the Load method, then use methods like CreateElement and InsertBefore or AppendChild to create and insert new elements. As XmlDocument implements IXPathNavigable you can also use CreateNavigator and use the various edit method XPathNavigator allows. See <http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/20esef39(VS.80).aspx>  SignatureMartin Honnen --- MVP XML http://JavaScript.FAQTs.com/ Martin- Thanks for that. I was playing with XMLDocument late last night :-). I guess my question is, what is the general approach for adding new nodes? For example, I have two nested elements in my existing document. I want to add my new elements as children of the inner element. So, do I first create a reference to the parent element where I want to start my adds and then simply start doing AppendChild? Also, once I've added a new element, do I have to position the cursor explicitly on that element to add, for example, a CDATA section to it? The reason I ask is that my biggest problem is not adding new nodes, but it putting them where I want them. It seems to be all over the map, based on my limited experience. Thanks, Darren >> I'm creating some XML documents in my C# .net 2.0 code. To date I've >> mostly only read XML. Now I'm writing it and I'm struggling to figure out [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > CreateNavigator and use the various edit method XPathNavigator allows. See > <http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/20esef39(VS.80).aspx> > Thanks for that. I was playing with XMLDocument late last night :-). I > guess my question is, what is the general approach for adding new nodes? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > biggest problem is not adding new nodes, but it putting them where I > want them. It seems to be all over the map, based on my limited experience. AppendChild/InsertBefore/InsertAfter need to be called on the new parent node so you are right to select that parent first (e.g. with SelectSingleNode) to be able to call AppendChild or InsertBefore or InsertAfter. As for providing the contents of newly created elements (with .NET) you simply do that like this: XmlElement element = xmlDocumentInstance.CreateElement("element-name"); element.InnerText = "element content"; newParentElement.AppendChild(element); If you want to add a CDATA section then you can't set InnerText but simply do e.g. XmlElement element = xmlDocumentInstance.CreateElement("element-name"); element.AppendChild(xmlDocumentInstance.CreateCDATASection( "foo & bar")); newParentElement.AppendChild(element); So there is no cursor concept, you are dealing with nodes that have properties like InnerText and InnerXml and methods like AppendChild or InsertBefore. With newly created nodes there is no need to position anything as the methods like CreateElement return a reference to the node and you can then apply methods and set properties directly. SignatureMartin Honnen --- MVP XML http://JavaScript.FAQTs.com/ Thanks Martin- I did end up figuring this out. I have to admit it was less intuitive than other aspects of the framework but in the end, I got it to do what I wanted. Thanks again for your hints in the right direction! SignatureDarren >> Thanks for that. I was playing with XMLDocument late last night :-). I >> guess my question is, what is the general approach for adding new nodes? [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > anything as the methods like CreateElement return a reference to the node > and you can then apply methods and set properties directly. > I did end up figuring this out. I have to admit it was less intuitive > than other aspects of the framework but in the end, I got it to do what > I wanted. With .NET 3.5 (respectively Visual Studio 2008) you will have LINQ and LINQ to XML which is supposed to be more intuitive than DOM. But currently it is only in beta. The beta documentation is online here: <URL:http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb387098(VS.90).aspx> Creating an element with text content is then as "easy" as e.g. XElement newElement = new XElement("element-name", "element content"); Creating an element with child elements then works as follows: XElement newElement = new XElement("element-name", new XElement("child-name", "foo"), new XElement("child-name", "bar") ); SignatureMartin Honnen --- MVP XML http://JavaScript.FAQTs.com/ Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. Simply choose a title, complete the application form and submit it. Read more ...
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