Re: [PHP-XML-DEV] Validating XML

On Apr 26, 2004, at 9:50 PM, Michael wrote:

> Thanks for the reply.  I am guessing that the schemaValidate() method  
> is new and related to your work on revamping the DOM extension.

Yes, schemaValidate() is new to PHP 5, but I cannot take claim for the  
revamped DOM extension. That credit goes to Rob Richards, Christian  
Stocker, and Marcus Boerger.

> It appears that the docs for this extension have not yet caught up.  
> Besides trying to figure out the C code (i'm no C coder and that would  
> be a bit of a task although any tips would be appreciated), how would  
> you recommend that a Joe like me figure out what the extension can do  
> in its current incarnation?

I know of two good online articles, one by myself and one my Christian  
Stocker. My article ran in "International PHP Magazine" and is  
available at  
http://www.php-mag.net/itr/online_artikel/ 
psecom,id,503,nodeid,114.html; Christian's is up on Zend's web site at  
http://www.zend.com/php5/articles/php5-xmlphp.php.

My piece is more of a gentle introduction to DOM and PHP 5, but it also  
covers XSLT and XPath. Christian's is more terse, but covers all the  
new XML pieces of PHP 5, including DOM, XSLT, XPath, SimpleXML,  
validation, and more.

They're both worth reading, IMHO. :)

> Also, I'm wondering about DOM XML and simpleXML status.  Both are  
> documented as being experimental.  Are both in a state of flux right  
> now?  Also, will they be in a stable state as PHP5 stable is released?

The documentation is lagging behind extension development. The new DOM  
extension and SimpleXML will both be marked stable when PHP 5 goes  
final, AFAIK. The old PHP 4 DOM XML "experimental" extension is  
deprecated and will not be supported in PHP 5. There are some changes  
between the old and new DOM extensions, so you will need to port your  
code; however, the new DOM extension is *much* better than the old one,  
so it's worth the time and effort.

As a shameless plug, if you have more questions, I suggest that you buy  
my new book, "Upgrading to PHP 5." It's being published by O'Reilly and  
will be available in July. :)

-adam

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