read and edit xml with PHP

**Oli Filth** · Jul 17 '05, 01:19 PM

Re: read and edit xml with PHP

John Gauger wrote:[color=blue]
> Hi all,
> Thanks in advance for any help that you can give. I'm trying to[/color]
write[color=blue]
> some php that will read in some xml and then allow me to modify the[/color]
tag[color=blue]
>
> and write back out to xml.
>
>
> In the following example, I want to read in 'text_for_parag raph_1',
> then allow it to be viewed, edited, and saved back to the xml... I
> have absolutely no clue even where to start...any help at all would[/color]
be[color=blue]
> more than appreciated!!
>
>
> thanks,
> john
>
>
> <?xml version="1.0" standalone="yes "?>
> <module name="GS02" course="Demo">
> <page>
> <Name><![CDATA[ c0300010 (Ref Num 772) ]]></Name>
>
> <Screen_Type> <![CDATA[Text_with_Imag e]]></Screen_Type>
> <Description> <![CDATA[   ]]></Description>
> <Script>
> <Text_for_Parag raph_1><![CDATA[ Welcome to
> lesson 1 of module 2.
>   In this lesson, you will learn about the emerging trends in[/color]
the[color=blue]
> IT marketplace. ]]></Text_for_Paragr aph_1>
> </Script>
> </page>
> </module[/color]

Some possible approaches (visit the PHP manual at http://php.net/manual
for more details on these functions, etc.):

* preg_match() and preg_replace(). Devise a regular expression that
gives a hit on <Text_for_Parag raph_1>...</Text_for_Paragr aph_1>.

* Use an XSLT transform (see the PHP XSLT functions).

* Load the whole script in using the XML DOM functions, and the find
and replace the contents of the relevant element.

* Save the XML file as some sort of template, with something like
{PARAGRAPH_TEXT } in the right place. Then do a preg_replace() on this.

P.S. Are you aware that you don't have to escape *all* character data
with <![CDATA[ ... ]]>? This is only necessary if you want to express
data that would otherwise look like XML.

--
Oli