On 16/06/2011 18:03, Grant wrote:
Depending on whether there are one or more sets of values, XML::Simple
either creates a hash or an array, either of which are stored here:
$parsed_response->{Label}->{Image}
My code retrieves the correct value when it's an array but I'm not
sure how to do the same when it's a hash. I also need to be able to
decide if it's a hash or an array so I can execute the appropriate
code for retrieving the value. Can anyone show me how to do this?
I'm afraid XML::Simple isn't very good at producing consistent data
structures unless it is tweaked a little. Using ForceArray should help;
this is from the documentation
* check out "ForceArray" because you'll almost certainly want to
turn
it on
and
ForceArray => 1 *# in - important*
This option should be set to '1' to force nested elements to be
represented as arrays even when there is only one.
Thanks Rob. I think ForceArray is what I need but I can't come up
with the right setting. If I set 'ForceArray => 1', everything seems
to be forced into an array but I don't want to loop with foreach for
every value I want to retrieve. I'd like to force only
$parsed_response->{Label}->{Image} into an array but I can't find the
correct setting for ForceArray.
I presume you have tried
ForceArray => ['Image']
I tried that and it seems to behave the same as 'ForceArray => 1'.
Everything seems to be forced into an array.
For further help you must show more of your source XML and examples of
the two forms of Perl data structure that you are seeing.
I'm very happy to report that I got it working by using 'ForceArray =>
1' and specifying [0] to pick the first (and what should be the only)
value from all of the new arrays. I'm now using
$parsed_response->{Label}[0]->{Image} in the foreach loop. Is that a
good solution?
Hi Grant
I am surprised that ForceArray => ['Image'] didn't work as I expected.
You can apply the option throughout as you have done, but it makes
accessing the resultant data structure very untidy as you have found.
(By the way, all arrows between braces/brackets may be omitted, so you
could write $parsed_response->{Label}[0]{Image}.)
I never recommend XML::Simple as a starting point, as I feel it is the
implementation of the module rather than its use that is 'simple'. There
are several alternatives, but without seeing your data and application
requirement it is difficult to recommend sticking with XML::Simple or
using something different.
Please show your XML and Perl code.
Rob
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