xml and php

I haven't started that yet.
I am in the process of setting this up
How does the php code take the xml data and place it in the database? Can you show me using a dummy script so I get the just of the workings

This is the data I need inserting:
[body] => SimpleXMLElement Object
        (
            [ORDER] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                (
                    [ORDERHEAD] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                        (
                            [@attributes] => Array
                                (
                                    [ORDERTYPE] => PUO
                                    [FUNCCODE] => FIO
                                )

                            [ORDERDESC] => Purchase Order
                            [FUNCDESC] => Firm Order
                            [CURRENCY] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                                (
                                    [@attributes] => Array
                                        (
                                            [CURRTYPE] => ORD
                                            [CURRCODE] => GBP
                                        )

                                    [CURRTYPEDESC] => Order Currency
                                    [CURRCODESC] => United Kingdom Pounds
                                )

                        )

                    [REFERENCE] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                                (
                                    [@attributes] => Array
                                        (
                                            [REFTYPE] => CUR
                                        )

                                    [REFDESC] => Customers Reference
                                    [REFCODE] => STKPO434968
                                )

                            [1] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                                (
                                    [@attributes] => Array
                                        (
                                            [REFTYPE] => CCN
                                        )

                                    [REFDESC] => Customers Customer Name
                                    [REFCODE] => Mrs V. M BAKER
                                )

                            [2] => SimpleXMLElement Object
                                (
                                    [@attributes] => Array
                                        (
                                            [REFTYPE] => ACR
                                        )

                                    [REFDESC] => Alternate Customer Reference
                                    [REFCODE] => 001A002130
                                )

                        )

My table is just consisting of col1,col2 etc...
It is called orders_db
database: postorders

Sorry to appear so vague but this is totally new to me. If I can have a pointer as to the structure of the php code to do this I could then work on it. Is it possible to put the code (above) together to show me how it all works as a unit ?

Ray - thanks so much for the code - it really explains exactly what is going on
Final question:
If my database has a name "dbname" and columns called "col1", "col2" etc ..., what would the insert php code look like to take the above echoed variables into the databse

basically how to use a sql INSERT statement to put the variables into a database

Last question I promise:
How would the $r variables be inserted as repeats into the table  on line 22-23?

This is my attempt to get 2 variables into the database (sorry - I know it is one more question):
-------------------------------
<?php
//Connect to the database
$dbh = new PDO("mysql:host=localhost;dbname=1callorders", "name", "password");

error_reporting(E_ALL);
echo '<pre>';

// ACQUIRE THE XML AND MAKE AN OBJECT
$url = 'http://localhost/comwebsites/1callorders/site/xmlimport/Purchase-Order-FI2-4098098.xml';
$xml = file_get_contents($url);
$obj = simplexml_load_string($xml);

// SHOW HOW TO ACCESS SOME PARTS OF THE OBJECT
$x = (string)$obj->header->delivery->message->messageID;
echo "messageID: $x";
echo PHP_EOL;

$x = (string)$obj->header->manifest->document->name;
echo "name: $x";
echo PHP_EOL;

// SHOW HOW TO USE AN ITERATOR TO ACCESS REPEATED PARTS OF THE OBJECT
foreach ($obj->body->ORDER->REFERENCE as $r)
{
    echo ' REFTYPE: ' . $r['REFTYPE'];
    echo ' REFCODE: ' . $r->REFCODE;
    echo PHP_EOL;
}

foreach ($obj->body->ORDER->SUPPLIER->ADDRESS->NAME as $n)
{
    echo "NAME: $n";
    echo PHP_EOL;
}

// USE AN ITERATOR TO ACCESS A NESTED OBJECT
foreach ($obj->body->ORDER->ORDERLINE as $o)
{
    // TEASE OUT PARTS OF THE NESTED OBJECT
    $p = (string)$o->PRODUCT->DESCRIPTION;
    echo "PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: $p";
    echo PHP_EOL;
}

// ACTIVATE THIS TO SHOW THE ENTIRE OBJECT
// print_r($obj);

//prepare the query
$stmt = $dbh->prepare("INSERT INTO retailers (ret_id, ret_name) VALUES (:$x, :$p)");


      $stmt->execute();

?>

Result:
I just get this printed to the page:

messageID:
name:

that works !!!

I have tried this for an extra variable but it gives an error:
Name: P-ORD-EXPDesc: PHP Warning: PDOStatement::execute() [function.PDOStatement-execute]: SQLSTATE[HY093]: Invalid parameter number: parameter was not defined in I:\CommercialWebsites\1callorders\site\xmlimport.php on line 20

Extra variable I am trying to add:
<ORDERDESC>Purchase Order</ORDERDESC>

---------
<?php
$dbh = new PDO("mysql:host=localhost;dbname=1callorders", "user", "password");
            
$xml = file_get_contents('xmlimport/Purchase_Order_FI2-4098098.xml');
$obj = simplexml_load_string($xml);
            
$name = (string)$obj->header->manifest->document->name;
$orderdesc = (string)$obj->header->manifest->document->orderdesc;
echo "Name: " . $name;
echo "Desc: " . $orderdesc;

//prepare the query with a named parameter called 'name'
$stmt = $dbh->prepare("INSERT INTO retailers (ret_name, ret_add) VALUES (:name, :orderdesc)");

//bind the named parameter to a PHP variable (called $name)
$stmt->bindParam('name', $name);
$stmt->bindParam('desc', $orderdesc);

//execute the query
$stmt->execute();      
?>

Thanks to all - I really do appreciate the time you have all spent teaching me in this exercise.

Ray,
I cannot access the article url above:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/Web_Development/Web_Languages-Standards/PHP/PHP_Databases/A_11177-PHP-MySQL-Deprecated-as-of-PHP-5-5-0.html

I get access denied

Excellent learning experience