How to access XML String values in C#?

Question

I'm learning to use ReST Web services and I need to find out how to get a specific value from the xml string that is returned. How can I simply get 1 value from an xml String? All I want is one value. Is there some way to convert this string into something with an indexer?

I'm using Yahoo Geocoding service. Results:

<ResultSet version="1.0">
<Error>0</Error>
<ErrorMessage>No error</ErrorMessage>
<Locale>us_US</Locale>
<Quality>87</Quality>
<Found>1</Found>
−
<Result>
<quality>85</quality>
<latitude>86.457310</latitude>
<longitude>-73.262245</longitude>
<offsetlat>46.457311</offsetlat>
<offsetlon>-73.262071</offsetlon>
<radius>500</radius>
<name/>
<line1>1234 N Main St</line1>
<line2>Anytown, New York  12345</line2>
<line3/>
<line4>United States</line4>
<house>1234</house>
<street>N Main St</street>
<xstreet/>
<unittype/>
<unit/>
<postal>12345</postal>
<neighborhood/>
<city>New York</city>
<county>Albany County</county>
<state>New York</state>
<country>United States</country>
<countrycode>US</countrycode>
<statecode>NY</statecode>
<countycode/>
<uzip>12345</uzip>
<hash>E692D20CBDF86A2E</hash>
<woeid>12783988</woeid>
<woetype>11</woetype>
</Result>
</ResultSet>

Ok, but how do I get from having a string to an xml document? — MAW74656
– MAW74656, Commented Feb 10, 2011 at 17:43
there are many ways to do this, to show you a sample xml would be good — BrokenGlass
– BrokenGlass, Commented Feb 10, 2011 at 17:46
@BrokenGlass- I understand there are many ways to do it, but I can't seem to find an example for a simple way to do it. — MAW74656
– MAW74656, Commented Feb 10, 2011 at 19:32

Jack Marchetti · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-10 17:46:22Z

3

You could use Linq to XML

XDocument xmlfile= XDocument.Load("PATH TO XML DOC");
var test = from xml in xmlfile.Descendants("item_name")
           select new { Title = (string)xml.Element("title").Value };

That's one way.

answered Feb 10, 2011 at 17:46

Jack Marchetti

15.8k14 gold badges85 silver badges119 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

Aaron McIver Over a year ago

No file; data comes by way of a string

Jack Marchetti Over a year ago

Where is the string coming from?

MAW74656 Over a year ago

I'm not sure if it matters (a string is a string, isn't it?) but I've added sample xml response to my question.

jdehaan · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-10 19:52:24Z

2

Use XPath to address the node you are interested in:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d271ytdx(v=VS.90).aspx

To transform XML string into an XML document

XmlDocument doc = new XmlDocument();
doc.LoadXml(yourString);

Here is a good introduction to XPath: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/cpp/myXPath.aspx

edited Feb 10, 2011 at 19:52

answered Feb 10, 2011 at 17:43

jdehaan

20k6 gold badges65 silver badges99 bronze badges

3 Comments

MAW74656 Over a year ago

Can I do this using a string in memory instead of an xml file?

MAW74656 Over a year ago

Perfect! Could you also show an example of how to look at a specific element (node?).

MAW74656 Over a year ago

Wow, I can't believe they didn't include a constructor for strings OR files! Microsoft....

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:24:24Z

1

See my question on Easiest way to read XML with attributes. I found that using xsd.exe to generate a xsd which allows you managed access to the XML was the simplest way to access the XML data. LINQ2XML was also pretty easy to use.

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:24

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Feb 10, 2011 at 17:46

Tedd Hansen

12.4k14 gold badges64 silver badges102 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to access XML String values in C#?

3 Answers 3

3 Comments

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

3 Comments

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related