Can't display XML element name using Javascript

Question

I have an HTML5 file with javascript to read in a local XML file.

One element in the XML structure is dynamic and contains inner xml, no value.

When trying to display this nodename on the webpage all I see is #text.

Example XML:

<Students>
    <student id="1">
        <Connor>
           <age>20</age>
           <gender>male</gender>
        </Connor>
    </student>
    <student id="2">
        <Fiona>
           <age>25</age>
           <gender>female</gender>
        </Fiona>
    </student>
</Students>

Javascript:

var x = xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("student");

for(i = 0; i < x.length; i++)
{
    var id = x[i].getAttribute("id");

    var name = x[i].childNodes[0].nodeName;        // produces '#text'
    // var name = x[i].firstChild.nodeName;        // produces '#text'   

    document.write("<p>name = " + x[i].childNodes[0].nodeName + "</p>");  // produces '#text'

    var age = x[i].getElementsByTagName("age")[0].childNodes[0].nodeValue;
    var gender = x[i].getElementsByTagName("gender")[0].childNodes[0].nodeValue;

    var student= {id:id, name:name, age:age, gender:gender };
}

In my XML example I understand that the name of the student could be better stored but this is just an example based on a fixed XML structure I'm working with.

Furthermore: reading and displaying the XML file only works whilst running through the IDE. I would eventually like to be able to run the .html file and have the javascript code read the xml file (stored in the same location as the html file) and displays its data.

Edit: First part is solved. Still could use help on the "Furthermore" above.

Jay · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-09 15:44:19Z

1

Ahh this old chestnut, I had the same problem, try

 var name = x[i].children[0].nodeName;

This should only get the first xml.

Basicallly the problem is in your list you have 0:text 1:XMLNode, 2:XMLnode ect.

And to get only xml stuff, you can use children rather then childNodes, very similar to HTML Elements EDIT this example doesn't work

The actual answer:

You need to check the typeof child by using typof when looping throught

edited Nov 9, 2014 at 15:44

answered Nov 9, 2014 at 15:28

Jay

1,0331 gold badge20 silver badges32 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

Algamest Over a year ago

Hi Jay. Thanks for responding. It doesn't seem to like x[i].children[0].nodeName :S I tried using write(), first printing a test message, then your suggested line and then another test message. All I see is the first test message suggesting children is undefined.

Algamest Over a year ago

I have solved this now and have posted a link to a related question. You were correct about the nodeType so thank you. :D

Jay Over a year ago

Yes apologies, You should use typeof when looping through to check that its an actual node

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:49:39Z

0

I have found a suitable answer for the first part of my question which appears to be a duplicate of:

Javascript/XML - Getting the node name

I've only seen this now in the related questions to my own. It wasn't shown to me when searching or when writing my question. So props to @T.J. Crowder

my solution is:

var nameNode = x[i].firstChild;

while(nameNode.nodeType != 1)
{
    nameNode = nameNode .nextSibling;
}

var name = nameNode;

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:49

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Nov 9, 2014 at 15:41

Algamest

1,5496 gold badges23 silver badges40 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Can't display XML element name using Javascript

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related