php parse simple xml attributes

Question

I'm having some trouble with an xml file, I have found all sorts of examples/guides around the web and on this site but I can't seem to see one like this:

I have an XML file like so:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root>
<items item1="1" item2="2" item3="3" item4="4"/>
<items item1="1" item2="2" item3="3" item4="4"/>
<items item1="1" item2="2" item3="3" item4="4"/>
</root>

I've not seen the data set out like this before and when I try:

<?php

$obj = simplexml_load_string("sample.xml");
print_r($obj);
?>

I get the error:

Warning: simplexml_load_string() [function.simplexml-load-string]: Entity: line 1: parser error : Start tag expected, '<' not found

I have run the xml file through the check at www.xmlvalidation.com and all comes back ok, am I missing something?

I am looking to be able to echo the value of the item attributes in a while loop.

Hi, sorry this is a typo, the file I am using is correct. I will edit the post now, thanks for the quick reply – — Joe
– Joe, Commented Jun 15, 2011 at 21:29

Michael Berkowski · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-15 21:30:00Z

8

You're attempting to load XML from a file with simplexml_load_string(), which expects a string input. Instead, use simplexml_load_file().

$obj = simplexml_load_file("sample.xml");

answered Jun 15, 2011 at 21:30

Michael Berkowski

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1 Comment

Joe Over a year ago

Spot on, thanks! I'm just still a bit unsure why the file is set like this, do you have any ideas? Sorry I'm still very new.

Andrew Curioso · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-15 21:26:50Z

0

One thing I noticed is that your closing tag on the last line should be </root> rather than <root>

answered Jun 15, 2011 at 21:26

Andrew Curioso

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3 Comments

Joe Over a year ago

Hi Andrew, sorry this is a typo, the file I am using is correct. I will edit the post now, thanks for the quick reply

Andrew Curioso Over a year ago

I'm looking at it now to try to find the underlying cause. Changing the end tag doesn't fix it.

Andrew Curioso Over a year ago

Found it, simplexml_load_string takes a string not a file. You want simplexml_load_file()... I'd edit my answer except someone else beat me to it so they deserve the credit :)

dandrews · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-15 21:28:29Z

0

Your root tag at the end is not a closing tag. When I run this XML through the validator you mention, it fails.

answered Jun 15, 2011 at 21:28

dandrews

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