Access specific data in a complex XML file

fedpep

Hello, I'm loading XML data from an API and this is a simplified versione of the structure of the XML:

I need to access the parameter "name" inside CreditArtist. I tried with all the combination of getChildren and getChild (following the examples in the reference) but I couldn't wrap my head around this and couldn't access that data.

<Credits xmlns="*********" xmlns:i="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <status>ok</status> <code>200</code> <parameters> <apiKey>*********</apiKey> <id>*********</id> <format>xml</format> </parameters> <view> <total>*********</total> </view> <credits> <NMCredit> <id>*********</id> <title>*********</title> <primaryartists> <CreditArtist> <id>*********</id> <name>*********</name> </CreditArtist> </primaryartists> <year>*********</year> <credit>*********</credit> <type>*********</type> </NMCredit> <NMCredit> <id>*********</id> <title>*********</title> <primaryartists> <CreditArtist> <id>*********</id> <name>*********</name> </CreditArtist> </primaryartists> <year>*********</year> <credit>*********</credit> <type>*********</type> </NMCredit> </credits> </Credits>

GoToLoop

Disclaimer: 1st time getting a longer glance at XML! ~:>

I tried with all the combination of getChildren() and getChild().

https://processing.org/reference/XML_getChild_.html
https://processing.org/reference/XML_getChildren_.html

AFAIK, getChild("") returns the 1st found element w/ that name.
Therefore, we should only use it when there's only 1 child w/ that name.

For example: There's only 1 child called "credits" in your ".xml" sample.
So we can use getChild("credits") in place of getChildren("credits"). :-\"

Logically otherwise, we need to rely on getChildren(""), which returns an array of XML[].

For example: There are 2 children called "NMCredit" in your ".xml" sample.
Therefore we need to use getChildren("NMCredit"). >-)

I need to access the parameter "name" inside "CreditArtist".

Actually, "name" is also a child element just like "CreditArtist" and others are.
What you want is the content of each existing element "name", right?
So you need to use getContent() on it: https://processing.org/reference/XML_getContent_.html

However, there's a long road ahead before reaching last child element "name"! #:-S
The sample below is my attempt on it.
Tell me whether it's worked for ya and you have understood how it works: O:-)

// forum.processing.org/two/discussion/10792/access-specific-data-in-a-complex-xml-file
// 2015-May-13

XML xml;
String[] names;

xml = loadXML("credits.xml");

XML[] NMCredit = xml.getChild("credits").getChildren("NMCredit");

names = new String[NMCredit.length];
int idx = 0;

for (XML element : NMCredit)  names[idx++] = element
  .getChild("primaryartists")
  .getChild("CreditArtist")
  .getChild("name")
  .getContent();

printArray(names);
exit();

PhiLho

For proper formatting of code, you must not hit C then paste code.
You must paste the code, select it, then hit the C button.

fedpep

@GoToLoop, thanks! it solved my problem! I can read all the data from the API, now I just need to understand how to change the api request by following the user input but I think this matter should have its own topic. :D

@PhiLho: I will