asked on

XML XDocument extract - Keeping a node list like a menu path

Here is an example XML I am reading with XDocument.

<Auto>
<Model>FORD</Model>
<ModelYear>2013</ModelYear>
<ModelDescription>PICKUP</ModelDescription>
<Make>F-150</Make>
<SaleClass>NEW</SaleClass>
<VIN>5N1995512300</VIN>
<DeliveryMileage uom="M">1000</DeliveryMileage>
<AutoStock>DT</AutoStock>
<BodyStyle>PICKUP</BodyStyle>
<ExteriorColor>WHITE</ExteriorColor>
<Pricing>
	<AutoPrice currency="USD">20000.34</AutoPrice>
	<AutoPricingType>Net Cap Cost</AutoPricingType>
</Pricing>
<Pricing>
	<AutoPrice currency="USD">21000.89</AutoPrice>
	<AutoPricingType>Gross Cap Cost</AutoPricingType>
</Pricing>
<CollateralType>C</CollateralType>
<NumberOfEngineCylinders>8</NumberOfEngineCylinders>
<VanConversionCost>0.00</VanConversionCost>
<AutoUse>Personal</AutoUse>
</Auto>

Open in new window

Here is what I would like for the output to be. This is similar to a menu path except using period separators.

Auto.Model
Auto.ModelYear
Auto.ModelDescription
Auto.Make
Auto.SaleClass
Auto.VIN
Auto.DeliveryMileage
Auto.AutoStock
Auto.BodyStyle
Auto.ExteriorColor
Auto.Pricing.AutoPrice
Auto.Pricing.AutoPricingType
Auto.Pricing.AutoPrice
Auto.Pricing.AutoPricingType
Auto.CollateralType
Auto.NumberOfEngineCylinders
Auto.VanConversionCost
Auto.AutoUse

Open in new window

Here is my code as a starting place:

For Each e As XElement In xdoc.Descendants
   Console.Writeline(e.Name.LocalName & "," & e.Value)
Next

Open in new window

Thanks for any ideas

ste5an

You may use the Parent property of XElement..

Something like pseudo-code:

Function FullPath(ANode) As String
  If ANode.Parent Is Nothing 
    FullPath = ANode.Name.LocalName
  Else
    FullPath = FullPath(ANode.Parent) & "." & ANode.Name.LocalName
  End If
End Function

Open in new window

Tom Sage

ASKER

Hello,

Anode.Parent shows the row in XML format. I want just the text, like this:

Auto.Pricing.AutoPricingType

Thanks

ste5an

D'oh?

How did you implement my pseudo-code function? How did you invoke it?

Maybe it's only

Function FullPath(ANode) As String
  If ANode.Parent Is Nothing 
    FullPath = ANode.Name
  Else
    FullPath = FullPath(ANode.Parent) & "." & ANode.Name
  End If
End Function

Open in new window

Tom Sage

ASKER

Here is my test code

Dim doc As XDocument = XDocument.Load("my.xml")

            For Each xel In doc.Descendants

                If xel.Parent Is Nothing Then
                    Console.WriteLine(xel.Name.LocalName & "," & xel.Value)
                Else
                    Console.WriteLine(xel.Parent.ToString & "." & xel.Name.LocalName & "," & xel.Value)
                End If

            Next

            Console.WriteLine("Done - press Enter")
            Console.ReadLine()

Open in new window

Is this correct ?

Thank you

ste5an

No. You should implement the above function and use it as:

Dim doc As XDocument = XDocument.Load("my.xml")

For Each xel In doc.Descendants	
  Console.WriteLine(FullPath(xel))
Next

Console.WriteLine("Done - press Enter")
Console.ReadLine()

Open in new window

Tom Sage

ASKER

On line 4 of the code in the previous comment, I am getting this error:

Conversion from type 'XName' to type 'String' is not valid.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

ste5an

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Tom Sage

ASKER

Very good job - thank you for the help !!