Java Xml Parser
In this article, we acknowledge you about what is a XML parser in Java, how is it going to work and what is the purpose of it.
Also, the article discusses about the importance of the XML parser in reading the XML files.
What is XML Parser
XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. It basically specifies a set of instruction for document processing. It offers a method for accessing or changing contents in a Xml file.
Java offers a variety of options for parsing XML files. To parse and analyze Html files, it provides a variety of libraries.
The XML language is used to offer a standard method for data transfer and transmission across various machines. XML is likewise platform compatible like Java. There are features in an XML document. There is a start tag, a content tag for each element, as well as an end tag. Additionally, there can only be one root element per XML document. Finally, the syntax and form of an XML file are precise.
The following are the different examples of parsers that java provided us with
- DOM Parser
- SAX parser
- JDOM Parser
- STAX Parser
- XPATH Parser
- DOM4J Parser
DOM Parser
The World Wide Web Association officially adopts the Document Object Model (DOM). It describes an architecture that gives software tools the ability to have control over the look, feel, and data of XML documents. This interface is implemented by XML parsers that support DOM.
An XML document that has been parsed using a DOM parser returns a tree structure that contains every component of the original text. You can evaluate the document's data and design using a number of the methods provided by the DOM.
When it is useful
- You must be well knowledgeable about a text's architecture.
- An Xml file has to have some components shuffled around.
- An XML file contains information that must be used several times.
A typical interface for modifying document formats is the DOM. One of its performance criteria is that Java code created for one DOM-compliant parser should work even without changes on any other DOM-compliant parser.
SAX Parser
An event-based parser for XML documents is called SAX (Simple API for XML). A SAX parser doesn't build a parse tree, unlike a DOM parser. Because SAX is a video content protocol for XML, implement this model SAX receive automatic updates on the processing of the XML document, one element and one attribute at a time, in a proper sequence beginning at the top of the document and terminating with the deletion of the ROOT element.
XML documents are read from top to bottom while the tokens that help compensate a very well XML document are recognised. The arrangement in which the tokens exist in the file determines how they are interpreted. The type of tokens the parser has received is reported to the application software as it happens. An "event" handler is provided by the software application, and it needs to be identified with the parser. Call back mechanisms in the handler are triggered with the necessary data as the tokens are identified.
When it is useful
- The Xml file can be processed linearly from top to bottom.
- It is not very densely packed.
- The DOM tree of the very huge XML document you are reading would use up too much storage. In typical DOM applications, one word of XML is represented by ten memory bytes.
- Only a portion of the Xml file is involved in the issue to be handled.
- For a Xml file that enters across a stream, SAX performs well since information is available as quickly as it is noticed by the parser.
Because a Xml file is executed in a forward-only way, we cannot retrieve it at irregular intervals. You must create the program and save the information by yourself if you want to modify the order of the components or maintain a record of the information that the parser has already seen.
JDOM Parser
JDOM is a free, Java-based library that can parse XML files. Typically, the API is user-friendly for Java developers. It uses Java classes like Lists and Arrays and is Java improved.JDOM combines the greatest features of the DOM and SAX APIs. It uses little RAM and is almost as quick as SAX.
When you use a JDOM parser to interpret a Xml file, you have the option of returning a tree structure that includes every element of your file without increasing the software's memory requirements.
If a XML document is well formatted and its architecture is understood, you can make use of various of utility functionality offered by JDOM to explore its contents and structure.
When it is Useful
- An extensive understanding of an XML document's syntax is required.
- You must rearrange components in an XML document .
- An XML document contains information that must be used several times.
- We are a Java developer who wants to use XML parsing that is customized for Java.
JDOM gives Java programmers the adaptability and simplicity of XML parsing code. It is a rapid and streamlined API.
STAX Parser
Comparable to how the SAX parser parses XML documents, STAX is a Java-based API.
However, there are two key distinctions between the two APIs:
Considering STAX is a PULL API while SAX is a PUSH API, a client application using STAX must request the STAX parser anytime it requires information from XML. However, when a clients software is notified that data exists by a SAX parser, a client application is necessary to obtain the data.
Xml file can be read and written using the STAX API. An XML file can only be read via the SAX API.
The Main features of the STAX Parser are:
- XML documents are read from top to bottom while the characters that comprise a well-formed Xml file are identified.
- The sequence in which the tokens exist in the document determines how they are interpreted.
- The type of characters the parser has detected is reported to the application software as it happens.
- An "event" reader, which functions as an iterator and loops over the event to get the necessary data, is provided by the application software. Cursor, a reader that serves as a pointer to XML nodes, is another option.
- XML elements can be extracted from the activity object and handled as soon as the events are located.
When it is useful
- The Xml file can be processed linearly from top to bottom.
- It is not very densely packed.
- The DOM tree of the very huge XML document you are parsing will use up too much storage. In typical DOM representations, one byte of XML is represented by ten memory bytes.
- Just a portion of the Xml file is involved in the subject to be handled.
- STAX functions effectively for a Xml file that enters across a stream since information is available as fast it is viewed by the parser.
XPATH Parser
XPath is a World Wide Web Organisation official standard (W3C). It establishes a framework for knowledge extraction in XML files. It is used to navigate around an XML document's elements and properties. XPath offers a variety of statement types that can be employed to query the Xml file for essential data.
The main features of the XPATH Parser are:
- Elements, attributes, data, namespaces, processor instructions, comments, and content nodes are defined as components of a Xml file.
- Supports strong path statements in XML file, such as selected nodes or collection of nodes.
- Offers a comprehensive collection of industry-standard functions for manipulating string variables, numeric data, date and time comparisons, node and QName modification, pattern alteration, Boolean values, etc.
- A major key component of the XSLT specification, and working with XSLT documents requires a solid understanding of XPath.
DOM4J Parser
A software application, Java-based toolkit for parsing XML documents is called DOM4J. It is a very adaptable and memory-wise API. It makes use of Java collections like List and Arrays and is Java-optimized.
With DOM, SAX, XPath, and XSLT, DOM4J is compatible. It has a relatively small storage overhead and can parse big XML documents.
When using a DOM4J parser to parse an XML document, you have the option of returning a tree structure that includes every element of your document without increasing the software's storage overhead.
If an XML document is well formatted and its architecture is understood, DOM4J offers a selection of utility methods that you can use to investigate the information and layout of the document.
In order to traverse through an XML document, DOM4J uses an XPath query.