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XML newbie question - how to structure my files

Hello

I am starting a new project in which I have a create and the read XML files in VB.net

I am pretty much free to structure my files in which ever way I see fit. On the reading side I have to use the MSXML libraries / parser.

My file would tentatively have the following structure

Item1
Property1
Property2

Item2
Property1
Property2

etc

As such I have come up with

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<item>
	<itemnum>1</itemnum>	
	<property>
    my property value
    </property>
</item>

<item>
	<itemnum>2</itemnum>	
	<property>
    some other property value
    </property>
</item>

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which will not parse correctly.

I'm sure this is an obvious newbie question but how should I structure my files ?

SOLUTION

Gertone (Geert Bormans)

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Alexandre Takacs

ASKER

aha - gotcha - so you always need a "root" node and after that you can go about your merry way :) ?

Gertone (Geert Bormans)

From the processing point of view actually there is a general tendency to group similar elements in a container

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<items>
    <item>
        <itemnum>1</itemnum>
        <properties>
            <property> my property value </property>
            <property> my property value 2 </property>
        </properties>
    </item>

    <item>
        <itemnum>2</itemnum>
        <properties>
            <property> some other property value </property>
            <property> some other property value 2</property>
        </properties>
    </item>
</items>

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it makes the processing easier

Gertone (Geert Bormans)

correct, an XML document can only have one root element

Alexandre Takacs

ASKER

Thanks - things are starting to take shape...

I have another issue with the generated code where (I guess) the online editor I am using a playing some tricks on me. Say I have

<property> this is a test... </property>

it translates into

<property> this is a test … </property>

which will create a parsing error.

Again pretty sure these are minor and obvious gotchas but wondering how to avoid them...

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Gertone (Geert Bormans)

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Alexandre Takacs

ASKER

Ok thanks - I think my most immediate questions have been answered :)

Gertone (Geert Bormans)

welcome... and good luck