Javascript xml empty tag error

Question

I'm trying to parse a xml from tht thetvdb.com, the problem is that some tv series don't have a name in english so the tags look like this: http://www.thetvdb.com/api/92DBDD8C9816A59C/series/256618/

you only have </SeriesName> and the <SeriesName> is missing.

when I try to print the names like this: console.log("name: " + serieNameT[0].childNodes[0].nodeValue);

my code stops in series like that and the error is 'TypeError'.

how can I pass this elements without problems?

thanks!

I see <SeriesName/>, not </SeriesName> in the file. Self closing tags are valid in XML. It looks like your problem is that this empty node does not have a childNodes attribute or it is empty and hence you cannot access the first element. It should not be difficult to test whether serieNameT[0].childNodes[0] exists. — Felix Kling
– Felix Kling, Commented Mar 1, 2012 at 21:21

Daniel Moses · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-01 21:26:45Z

3

You need to make sure the childNodes exist before referencing them.

if (serieNameT[0].childNodes.length > 0)
    name = serieNameT[0].childNodes[0].nodeValue;
else
    name = "Default series name when empty tag";

answered Mar 1, 2012 at 21:26

Daniel Moses

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