Parse XML string in VB.NET

Question

I am trying to parse a particular attribute/value pair from XML in VB.NET.

The XML is originally a string that looks like XML but it needs to be converted to an XML-like datatype or structure before I can parse it.

How can I convert this string into XML, and then parse the info that I need?

EDIT:

Dim doc As XDocument = XDocument.Parse(str) gets the string into xml, however Call doc.attribute("name").Value doesn't work. I've confirmed that the name of the Sub that I'm trying to call is correct. What am I doing wrong?

I've tried converting the value of the XML back into a string. Is here a special datatype for Subs? Am I missing something else?

Edit2 The value of the XML attribute is the name of a function. I'd like to call different functions based on the value of the value, which will be changed by me via a flash activex control. I pretty much have total control over what values i'm dealing with here.

(Do I need a delegate function? )

Edit3:

I got it. 'CallByName()' with appropriate arguments.

There's no XML datatype in .NET. Can you be a little more specific? Give an example of how the XML looks like and what attribute/value you'd like to obtain from it. Also why is this tagged with flash, axshockwaveflash and call? — Darin Dimitrov
– Darin Dimitrov, Commented Mar 1, 2010 at 18:11
@Darin - the XML is coming from an axshockwaveflash control. — Moshe
– Moshe, Commented Mar 1, 2010 at 22:10

Luhmann · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-01 18:12:38Z

2

Dim doc As XDocument = XDocument.Parse(str)

answered Mar 1, 2010 at 18:12

Luhmann

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1 Comment

Moshe Over a year ago

This gets me the XML string into an XML object. I still can't call the function... It's a start though.

John Saunders · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-03 00:41:11Z

2

What function are you talking about calling? "Value"? That's not a function. It's a property.

Dim val As Object = doc.Attribute("name").Value

answered Mar 3, 2010 at 0:41

John Saunders

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8 Comments

Moshe Over a year ago

And how can I call the function whose name is stored in val?

John Saunders Over a year ago

@Moshe: you never said you have the name of a function stored in the XML. I have no idea how to call a function whose name is stored in a string, I only know it's usually a bad idea to play such games.

John Saunders Over a year ago

@Moshe: if there are a limited number of possible functions, then just use a switch statement. I strongly suggest you not try to get fancy with doing dynamic function calls through reflection or something. That can be very difficult to maintain.

Moshe Over a year ago

@John - I would have to disagree on both counts. Dynamic function calls are easier than a switch statement to maintain because I won't forget to add cases. Also, there are an unknown number of functions at this point. Thanks.

John Saunders Over a year ago

@Moshe: dynamic function calls are tougher to maintain because they need to be maintained by someone who uderstands dynamic function calls. A far larger number of developers know what a switch statement is.

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