Inserting to XML

PHP
1

Hey guys,

Long time since I have written on here and a very long time since I have done any web development.

I am writing a small web app and have the following question.

I have an XML file like so:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<question_list>
	<question>
		<id>
			1
		</id>
		<text>
			What is a Cat?
		</text>
	</question>
	<question>
		<id>
			2
		</id>
		<text>
			What is your name?
		</text>
	</question>
</question_list>

I am learning how to extract the data from the XML file which is fine as their are loads of tutorials on that but how would I for example insert a new question into the XML?

Thanks

2

By using the SimpleXML class

Specifically, the addChild method

3

ok, thanks, I ahve the following line:

$question->addChild('text', '$question_text');

When that is run the actual text “$question_text” is put into the xml file and is not replaced by the value of that variable. How do I get the value to replace the name of the variable?

4

To modify an existing value, rather than add a new one, you would use a standard assignment operator.

The documentation for SimpleXML has some examples of basic usage that shows the following code for setting values


<?php
include 'example.php';
$xml = new SimpleXMLElement($xmlstr);

$xml->movie[0]->characters->character[0]->name = 'Miss Coder';

echo $xml->asXML();
?>
5

I think you misunderstood what i meant, I need to how to to get the $text_question variable converted into it’s actual value to be put into the file. Currently the name of the variable itself is being inserted

6

Removing the single quotes from around it will do that nicely.

7

$question->addChild(‘text’, $question_text);

Does that do it?

8

Yes.

9

Thanks guys. I have a lecture now but will try it in my break afterwards

thanks again

10

sry, really should refresh more often, in my to do list in all :S