Recursive Function through XML?

[paulsjv]

I guess I'm not as good at recursive functions as I thought. Below I have an XML file that I need to recursively go through. Mainly because not all the XML files are going to be the same (it's a huge pain). However, I really would like to not 'echo' the html out to a web page. I would really like to be able to store it in an $html variable and return that variable when the function is done with its recursion.

Any ideas on how to do this? The XML is below along with my code to 'echo' the html directly to the browser.

thanks!

<title name="Coffee Basics">
      <topic label="Welcome" content="../../courses/coffee_basics/welcome.swf" swfSize="large" runtime="444"></topic>
      <topic label="Trainer's Introduction" content="../../courses/coffee_basics/Trnrs_Intro.swf" swfSize="large" runtime="444"></topic>
      <section label="VBtP">
        <section label="Coffee">
          <topic label="History of Coffee" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/history_coffee.flv" runtime="126.89"/>
          <topic label="What Makes Coffee Program Unique?" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/program_unique.flv" runtime="146.81"/>
          <topic label="Sourcing Practices" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/why_no_fair.flv" runtime="88.02"/>
          <topic label="Coffee Certifications" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/makes_organic.flv" runtime="91.76"/>
          <topic label="In-store Roasting Program" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/roast_onsite.flv" runtime="49.88"/>
          <topic label="Recommending Coffee" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/rec_consume.flv" runtime="51.22"/>
        </section>
        <section label="Meet">
          <topic label="Passion for Coffee" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/passion_.flv" runtime="48.35"/>
          <topic label="What Inspired You" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/inspire_coffee.flv" runtime="77.54"/>
          <topic label="Favorite Story" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/fav_story.flv" runtime="230.46"/>
        </section>
        <section label="Coffee Fast Facts">
          <topic label="Growing, Harvesting, Processing, Roasting" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/grow_process.flv" runtime="242.21"/>
          <topic label="Where are Coffees Grown?" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/climate_coffee.flv" runtime="34.33"/>
          <topic label="Regional Taste Differences" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/taste_diff.flv" runtime="80.71"/>
          <topic label="Taste Terminology" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/taste_terms.flv" runtime="60.19"/>
          <topic label="Coffee Species - Arabica and Robusta" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/arabica_robusta.flv" runtime="63.96"/>
          <topic label="Evaluating Quality" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/eval_coffee.flv" runtime="118.72"/>
          <topic label="Storing Coffee at Home" content="../../vignettes/voice_behind_the_products/coffee/flv/store_cofee.flv" runtime="49.48"/>
        </section>
      </section>
      <topic label="Course Evaluation" content="../../components/course_eval.swf" swfSize="small"></topic>
      <topic label="Certificate of Completion" content="../../components/certificate.swf" swfSize="small"></topic>
    </title>

function edit_nav($xml) {

    foreach ($xml->attributes() as $k => $attribute) {
        echo '<p>' . $k . ' :: <a href="#" onclick="edit_label(this)" title="Eidt:' . $attribute . '">' . $attribute . '</a></p>';
    }
    echo '<hr>';
    
    foreach ($xml->children() as $children) {
        edit_nav($children);
    }
    
    return;
} 

[bcafs7]

You could use globals:

$html = '';

function edit_nav($xml, $first = 0) {
    // get the $html variable that exists outside the function
    global $html;

    foreach ($xml->attributes() as $k => $attribute) { // ps: edit is spelled wrong ;)
        $html .= '<p>' . $k . ' :: <a href="#" onclick="edit_label(this)" title="Eidt:' . $attribute . '">' . $attribute . '</a></p>';
    }
    $html .= '<hr>';
    
    foreach ($xml->children() as $children) {
        edit_nav($children);
    }

    // if first is true, it returns $html, if it isn't, it returns null
    return ($first ? $html : null);
}

// call like this
$html = edit_nav($xml, 1); 

I can't say for sure that it'll work, (since I can't test it) but it should.