SimpleXMLElement to manage XML data by adding , looping and displaying elements

Create an XML object with SimpleXMLElement

Use SimpleXMLElement when you want an object-oriented way to create or traverse a simple XML document.

<?php
$xml = new SimpleXMLElement('<catalog/>');
$book = $xml->addChild('book');
$book->addChild('title', 'Learning PHP');

echo $xml->asXML();
?>

Current example first; the detailed examples below are retained for additional learning and comparison.

This is part of PHP core so no installation is required. This extension can be checked by using phpinfo().

Example 1 generate XML data

<?php
header('Content-Type: text/xml');
$e = new SimpleXMLElement('<detils/>');


    $add = $e->addChild('address');
    $add->addChild('door_no', "Door_No: Abcd");
    $add->addChild('Street', "Street NO: 123 Abcd");

print($e->asXML());
?>

Output is here

<detils>
<address>
<door_no>Door_No: Abcd</door_no>
<Street>Street NO: 123 Abcd</Street>
</address>
</detils>

Example 2 generate XML by looping

<?php
header('Content-Type: text/xml');
$e = new SimpleXMLElement('<detils/>');

for ($i = 1; $i <= 4; ++$i) {
    $add = $e->addChild('address');
    $add->addChild('door_no', "Door_No $i");
    $add->addChild('Street', "Street NO $i");
}
print($e->asXML());
?>

Output is here

<detils>
<address>
<door_no>Door_No 1</door_no>
<Street>Street NO 1</Street>
</address>
<address>
<door_no>Door_No 2</door_no>
<Street>Street NO 2</Street>
</address>
<address>
<door_no>Door_No 3</door_no>
<Street>Street NO 3</Street>
</address>
<address>
<door_no>Door_No 4</door_no>
<Street>Street NO 4</Street>
</address>
</detils>

Example 2: Parsing XML and Accessing Child Elements

Using SimpleXMLElement, we can access child elements of an XML document directly:

$xml_data = '<books><book><title>PHP Basics</title></book></books>';
$xml = new SimpleXMLElement($xml_data);
echo $xml->book->title; // Outputs: PHP Basics

Example 4: Looping Through Multiple Child Elements

Here’s how to loop through multiple elements in an XML structure:

$xml_data = '<books><book><title>PHP Basics</title></book><book><title>MySQL Guide</title></book></books>';
$xml = new SimpleXMLElement($xml_data);
foreach ($xml->book as $book) {
    echo $book->title . "<br>";
}
// Outputs:
// PHP Basics
// MySQL Guide

Example 5: Modifying XML Elements

You can modify the content of an XML element using SimpleXMLElement:

$xml->book[0]->title = "Advanced PHP";
echo $xml->asXML(); 
// Outputs the updated XML structure

Displaying XML data or creating XML file by using Database records

XML simpleXML_load_string()

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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