What is xml parsing in javascript

Parsing and serializing XML

At times, you may need to parse XML content and convert it into a DOM tree, or, conversely, serialize an existing DOM tree into XML. In this article, we’ll look at the objects provided by the web platform to make the common tasks of serializing and parsing XML easy.

Serializes DOM trees, converting them into strings containing XML.

Constructs a DOM tree by parsing a string containing XML, returning a XMLDocument or Document as appropriate based on the input data.

Loads content from a URL; XML content is returned as an XML Document object with a DOM tree built from the XML itself.

A technology for creating strings that contain addresses for specific portions of an XML document, and locating XML nodes based on those addresses.

Creating an XML document

Using one of the following approaches to create an XML document (which is an instance of Document ).

Parsing strings into DOM trees

This example converts an XML fragment in a string into a DOM tree using a DOMParser :

const xmlStr = 'hey!'; const parser = new DOMParser(); const doc = parser.parseFromString(xmlStr, "application/xml"); // print the name of the root element or error message const errorNode = doc.querySelector("parsererror"); if (errorNode)  console.log("error while parsing"); > else  console.log(doc.documentElement.nodeName); > 

Parsing URL-addressable resources into DOM trees

Using XMLHttpRequest

Here is sample code that reads and parses a URL-addressable XML file into a DOM tree:

const xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); xhr.onload = () =>  dump(xhr.responseXML.documentElement.nodeName); >; xhr.onerror = () =>  dump("Error while getting XML."); >; xhr.open("GET", "example.xml"); xhr.responseType = "document"; xhr.send(); 

The value in the xhr object’s responseXML field is a Document constructed by parsing the XML.

If the document is HTML, the code shown above will return a Document . If the document is XML, the resulting object is actually a XMLDocument . The two types are essentially the same; the difference is largely historical, although differentiating has some practical benefits as well.

Note: There is in fact an HTMLDocument interface as well, but it is not necessarily an independent type. In some browsers it is, while in others it is an alias for the Document interface.

Serializing an XML document

Given a Document , you can serialize the document’s DOM tree back into XML using the XMLSerializer.serializeToString() method.

Use the following approaches to serialize the contents of the XML document you created in the previous section.

Serializing DOM trees to strings

First, create a DOM tree as described in How to Create a DOM tree. Alternatively, use a DOM tree obtained from XMLHttpRequest .

To serialize the DOM tree doc into XML text, call XMLSerializer.serializeToString() :

const serializer = new XMLSerializer(); const xmlStr = serializer.serializeToString(doc); 

Serializing HTML documents

If the DOM you have is an HTML document, you can serialize using serializeToString() , but there is a simpler option: just use the Element.innerHTML property (if you want just the descendants of the specified node) or the Element.outerHTML property if you want the node and all its descendants.

const docInnerHtml = document.documentElement.innerHTML; 

As a result, docInnerHtml is a string containing the HTML of the contents of the document; that is, the element’s contents.

You can get HTML corresponding to the and its descendants with this code:

const docOuterHtml = document.documentElement.outerHTML; 

See also

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Exploring Node.js XML Parsing: A Comprehensive Guide

Embark on a journey through Node.js XML parsing, where we unravel the complexities of reading, modifying, and writing XML data in your applications. Discover popular Node.js libraries, tackle common challenges, and unlock the secrets to efficient XML parsing.

Picture this: you’re a Node.js developer, sipping on a cup of coffee, staring at an XML file that looks like it was typed by a cat walking on a keyboard. You know that, hidden within the hieroglyphics of tags and attributes, there’s important data you need to work with. But how do you unlock the secrets of this digital Pandora’s box?

Welcome to the world of XML parsing in Node.js. In this article, we’ll make sense of the tangled web of XML, diving deep into its significance in data interchange, and exploring the thrilling realm of Node.js XML parsing. Fear not, brave developer, for by the end of this guide, XML parsing will be as effortless as buttering a warm piece of toast.

The journey begins with a brief overview of XML and why it matters in the context of data exchange. We’ll then unravel the mysteries of parsing XML in Node.js, providing you with clear, engaging, and informative content that will leave you feeling like a master of the XML universe.

Important disclosure: we’re proud affiliates of some tools mentioned in this guide. If you click an affiliate link and subsequently make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (you pay nothing extra). For more information, read our affiliate disclosure.

Understanding XML Parsing

Defining XML Parsing: Making Sense of the Alphabet Soup

Imagine you’re a detective and you’ve just discovered a mysterious message in a secret code. To solve the case, you need to decode the message and extract the vital information hidden within it. XML parsing is like that, but for developers dealing with data.

XML parsing is the process of reading XML data and converting it into a more accessible and usable format, such as JavaScript objects. It allows you to extract specific pieces of information, modify the data, and even add new elements. In short, XML parsing is your decoder ring for unlocking the secrets hidden in XML files.

Uncovering the Use Cases: The XML Chronicles

Now that we’ve established what XML parsing is, let’s dive into some real-life scenarios where it comes in handy. XML is used for data interchange in various applications, and parsing XML data becomes essential in situations like these:

1. APIs and Web Services: Many web services use XML to exchange data between client applications and servers. For example, a weather API might send an XML response with the current temperature, humidity, and forecasts.
2. Configuration Files: XML is often used as a format for configuration files in software applications. Picture a video game where the settings, character profiles, and game levels are stored in XML files. Parsing these files allows developers to read and modify the game’s data.
3. Document Markup: XML can be used to define custom markup languages for representing complex documents, such as ebooks or scientific papers. With XML parsing, you can extract specific sections or elements from these documents for further processing.

The Perks of XML Parsing in Node.js: Unleashing Your Inner Developer Superhero

Node.js developers have a unique advantage when it comes to XML parsing: the power of JavaScript. By parsing XML data into JavaScript objects, you can effortlessly manipulate, query, and transform the data using familiar tools and techniques.

Here are some heroic feats you’ll be able to perform with XML parsing in Node.js:

1. Dynamic Data Extraction: Easily access specific elements and attributes from your XML data, like unearthing the hidden treasure in a pirate’s chest.
2. Data Modification: Modify your XML data on-the-fly, like a skilled artist sculpting a masterpiece.
3. Integration with JavaScript Libraries: Leverage the vast ecosystem of JavaScript libraries and tools to perform advanced data processing and analysis.
4. Asynchronous Processing: Harness the power of Node.js’s non-blocking architecture to parse large XML files without slowing down your application.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of XML parsing, its use cases, and benefits in Node.js, you’re ready to venture forth into the realm of popular XML parsing libraries and practical implementation.

Popular Node.js XML Parsing Libraries

In the Node.js ecosystem, several valiant libraries have risen to the challenge of XML parsing. Each boasts unique strengths and quirks, much like a band of superheroes with diverse powers. In bthis section, we’ll explore the top contenders and help you choose the right sidekick for your XML parsing adventures.

Comparing the XML Parsing Libraries: The Ultimate Showdown

In the battle of XML parsing libraries, each contender offers unique advantages. To help you choose the right ally for your project, let’s compare their strengths and weaknesses side by side.

Feature	Fast-xml-parser	xml2js	Cheerio
Performance	⚡⚡⚡	⚡	⚡⚡
Ease of Use	⚡⚡	⚡⚡⚡	⚡⚡⚡
Asynchronous	✅	✅	❌
Validation Support	✅	❌	❌
jQuery-like Syntax	❌	❌	✅
Customizable	✅	✅	✅
Web Scraping	❌	❌	✅

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