From: php at jacob-head dot com
Operating system: Debian Testing (Lenny)
PHP version: 5.2.6
PHP Bug Type: SimpleXML related
Bug description: Suggestion: allow SimpleXMLElement->xpath() to return single
SimpleXMLElement
Description:
------------
Currently SimpleXMLElement->xpath() returns an array comprised of
SimpleXMLElements which match the xpath query. To manipulate the results it
is therefore necessary to extract the elements from the array. This is not
problematic for situations when one is using xpath to search for a number
of nodes. However, when one searching for specific and unique elements, it
would be helpful if rather than having xpath return an array comprised of
the single element, it would be possible to have it return only the
SimpleXMLElement object.
My suggestion is that a second parameter, an integer, be added to the
function. If used, SimpleXMLElement->xpath() would return the
SimpleXMLElement object equivalent to that result. For example:
$finalresult=$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]', 1);
would be the same as:
$firstresult=$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]');
$finalresult=$firstresult[0];
This would be useful as it would allow further manipulation of the element
within a specific SimpleXML list of functions. For example:
$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]', 1)->addChild('new', 'element');
rather than the current:
$firstresult=$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]');
$firstresult[0]->addChild('new', 'element');
Equally, it would also allow stacking of xpath elements. E.g.:
$finalresult=$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]',
1)->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"ABC"]', 1);
rather than the current:
$firstresult=$xml->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"XYZ"]');
$secondresult=$firstresult[0]->xpath('[EMAIL PROTECTED]"ABC"]');
$finalresult=$secondresult[0];
Although this may seem like a small change, when dealing with large
numbers of these calls it would be very helpful.
Many thanks,
-Jacob
PS. This is my first attempt at a Wishlist Bug Report suggestion. I hope I
have done everything correctly, but please accept my apologies if I have
not!
--
Edit bug report at http://bugs.php.net/?id=45201&edit=1
--
Try a CVS snapshot (PHP 5.2):
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=trysnapshot52
Try a CVS snapshot (PHP 5.3):
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=trysnapshot53
Try a CVS snapshot (PHP 6.0):
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=trysnapshot60
Fixed in CVS: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=fixedcvs
Fixed in release:
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=alreadyfixed
Need backtrace: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=needtrace
Need Reproduce Script: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=needscript
Try newer version: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=oldversion
Not developer issue: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=support
Expected behavior: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=notwrong
Not enough info:
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=notenoughinfo
Submitted twice:
http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=submittedtwice
register_globals: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=globals
PHP 4 support discontinued: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=php4
Daylight Savings: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=dst
IIS Stability: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=isapi
Install GNU Sed: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=gnused
Floating point limitations: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=float
No Zend Extensions: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=nozend
MySQL Configuration Error: http://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=45201&r=mysqlcfg
