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.NET XML to Dictionary - XML has repeating node names

Hello,

I have an XML file with repeating node names that I need to load into a Dictionary(Of string, string). See customer.xml attachment.

Here is the code I would like to use, but a Dictionary does not allow loading of repeated Keys.

    
Dim doc = XDocument.Load("customer.xml")

Dim dmap = doc.Descendants.ToDictionary(Function(e) e.Name.LocalName, Function(e) e.Value)

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I thought of renaming the repeating nodes by appending a number to the name, like Tax1, Tax2, ... Then running the code above.

Is there a better way to do this ?

Thank you
Customer.xml

AndyAinscow

Why use a dictionary - as you have found it isn't really suitable with having duplicates.
You could use a List (or SortedList) for instance.

Tom Sage

ASKER

Hi Andy,

I tried using a List(of string, string) since the xDoc.Descendants has a .ToList method, like this:

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Dim myList = doc.Descendants.ToList(Function(e) e.Name.LocalName & "," & Function(e) e.Value)

I kept getting the error: Lambda expression cannot be converted to 'Integer' because 'Integer' is not a delegate type

I would like the output to be: Field name, Value

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

AndyAinscow

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AndyAinscow

I've just checked, the sorted list won't support duplicate keys either. Either use a List or modify the keys as you thought originally and use a dictionary (but I suspect that would be a bad option - you add extra work just to force it into a dictionary)

Tom Sage

ASKER

I tested your suggestion and it is working great !

One final question - I am doing a loop through the XElements returned by xDocument.Descedants. When I get a Parent node I get all the values from the children of that Parent.

Is there a way to know it is a Parent node and just get the name and not the values ?

Thank you

AndyAinscow

Not certain if this is suitable: if it has child elements then it is a 'parent' type of node

Tom Sage

ASKER

Andy,

I think I will close this issue. I looked through intellisense for XElement and could not find a good test for a Parent node. I will experiment myself.

Thank you for your excellent and prompt help !

Tom Sage

ASKER

Excellent and prompt help