Interstage Shunsaku Data Manager Application Development Guide - Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000/ Microsoft(R) Windows Server(TM) 2003 - - UNIX -

3.6.1.2 Extracting Data in XML Format by Specifying an Element Node

It is possible to specify a path expression in the return parameter to extract data under any node of an XML document in XML format. The data in the element node indicated by the path expression is expressed in XML format as an element under the root tag of the XML document.

The explanations accompanying the following examples assume that the following single XML document has been found using a search expression.

<doc>
  <employee>
    <eno>19980120</eno>
    <name>Sara Jones</name>
    <sno>1001</sno>
    <phone>2201-1101</phone>
    <email>[e-mail]</email>
  </employee>
  <basic>
    <date>2006/02/16</date>
    <expense>$72.00</expense>
  </basic>
  <detail>
    <destination>Head Office</destination>
    <area>Clearview, Belair, Adelaide</area>
    <purpose>Regular project meeting</purpose>
    <train>$66.00</train>
    <taxi>$6.00</taxi>
    <hotel></hotel>
    <comment>None</comment>
  </detail>
  <report>Must create and report a sales results chart by next meeting</report>
</doc>

Example 1

The following example shows how to extract the employee's name (name).

/doc/employee/name

[Figure 3-2 Extracting Data in XML Format]

More than one return parameter can be specified in the return expression. Each path expression must be separated using a comma.

Example 2

The following example shows how to extract the employee name (name), basic information (basic) and the trip purpose (purpose).

/doc/employee/name,/doc/basic,/doc/detail/purpose

Result

<doc><name>Sara Jones</name><basic>
    <date>2006/02/16</date>
    <expense>$72.00</expense>
  </basic><purpose>Regular project meeting</purpose></doc>

When a sort expression is specified, XML documents found using the search expression will be returned in the order determined by the sort expression.

• When multiple return parameters are specified, they must all be in the form of a path expression. They cannot be specified together with text expressions or single line function specifications (result is returned in XML format).
• If a return parameter that can match multiple elements is specified (i.e. more than one path expression, '//' or '*' is specified), the application will not be able to determine the relationship between the elements that have been extracted.
  • If some elements do not exist, the application will not be able to determine which they are.
  • The application will not be able determine the path to the extracted elements.

  In these situations, either extract the entire XML document, or extract data using a specification where the return parameter isolates a single element.