XML Problem - Any XML Guru here?

1-22-05, 04:42 AM

A software i use to play songs at my radio station generates xml files such as the one below on its own. It is supposed to be usable to create webpage with updating ticker to display the contents of that xml file as they update constantly. I tried reading tutorials/manuals, but no avail. Please help!!!

<Schedule System="Jazler">
<Event status="happening" startTime="02:08:20" eventType="song">
<Announcement Display="Now On Air:"/>
<Song title="S000021">
<Artist name="">
<Media runTime="229.0864"/>
<Expire Time="02:12:09"/>
</Artist>
</Song>
</Event>
</Schedule>

Thanks in advance.

1-23-05, 08:49 AM

You might want to see if Jazler has a script for this....

Parsing the xml file is pretty easy:
(this code is straight from the php site )

PHP Code:


			
if (file_exists('test.xml')) {

   $xml = simplexml_load_file('test.xml');

    var_dump($xml);

} else {

   exit('Failed to open test.xml.');

}

So now you have the xml in a php object so you can use it like:

PHP Code:


			
echo 'Now Playing:' . $xml->song['title'];

Finally, you will need to update the song info... I would recomend using a frame or iframe, that way you could refresh the songe info without reloading your media player.

PHP Code:


			
$timeout=$xml->Media['runTime'];

//you will need to convert 4timeout to milliseconds.

echo '<script> 

             setTimeout("window.navigate(\'your_page.php\');",' $timeout . ');

        </script>';

There are of course many other ways to this, but this should get you started.

Shawn

1-23-05, 09:25 AM

PHP? Oops. I forgot i wasn't in the php forum. You can also parse xml in javascript, however different browsers makes that method "tricky". I can give you some examples if you want, but i don't recomend it (php is easier

).

Actually, if you want to use javascript, check out this link:
http://www.nczonline.net/media/zips/...DOMWrapper.zip
It is a wrapper to handle most of the crossbrowser issues for you.

1-31-05, 02:07 PM

If you want to do it without learning PHP or figuring out how to do XML with Javascript, you would want to use XSL/XSLT. You can find a ton of easy-to-follow at DevShed's XML section or in various sections at the Web Developer's Virtual Library. There are also a lot of other places to find info, or you can just go pick up a book at your local bookstore. Basically, the XML file you listed above shows the data; the XSL file you would need to create would determine how that XML is formatted/displayed. Unfortunately, the topic is far too involved to discuss here. Good luck!

1-22-05, 04:42 AM	#1
desifusion Guest Posts: n/a	XML Problem - Any XML Guru here? A software i use to play songs at my radio station generates xml files such as the one below on its own. It is supposed to be usable to create webpage with updating ticker to display the contents of that xml file as they update constantly. I tried reading tutorials/manuals, but no avail. Please help!!! <Schedule System="Jazler"> <Event status="happening" startTime="02:08:20" eventType="song"> <Announcement Display="Now On Air:"/> <Song title="S000021"> <Artist name=""> <Media runTime="229.0864"/> <Expire Time="02:12:09"/> </Artist> </Song> </Event> </Schedule> Thanks in advance.

1-23-05, 08:49 AM	#2
det1smc Guest Posts: n/a	You might want to see if Jazler has a script for this.... Parsing the xml file is pretty easy: (this code is straight from the php site ) PHP Code: `if (file_exists('test.xml')) { $xml = simplexml_load_file('test.xml'); var_dump($xml); } else { exit('Failed to open test.xml.'); }` So now you have the xml in a php object so you can use it like: PHP Code: `echo 'Now Playing:' . $xml->song['title'];` Finally, you will need to update the song info... I would recomend using a frame or iframe, that way you could refresh the songe info without reloading your media player. PHP Code: `$timeout=$xml->Media['runTime']; //you will need to convert 4timeout to milliseconds. echo '<script> setTimeout("window.navigate(\'your_page.php\');",' $timeout . '); </script>';` There are of course many other ways to this, but this should get you started. Shawn

1-23-05, 09:25 AM	#3
det1smc Guest Posts: n/a	a note about the previous my post PHP? Oops. I forgot i wasn't in the php forum. You can also parse xml in javascript, however different browsers makes that method "tricky". I can give you some examples if you want, but i don't recomend it (php is easier ). Actually, if you want to use javascript, check out this link: http://www.nczonline.net/media/zips/...DOMWrapper.zip It is a wrapper to handle most of the crossbrowser issues for you.

1-31-05, 02:07 PM	#4
mfrazer Guest Posts: n/a	If you want to do it without learning PHP or figuring out how to do XML with Javascript, you would want to use XSL/XSLT. You can find a ton of easy-to-follow at DevShed's XML section or in various sections at the Web Developer's Virtual Library. There are also a lot of other places to find info, or you can just go pick up a book at your local bookstore. Basically, the XML file you listed above shows the data; the XSL file you would need to create would determine how that XML is formatted/displayed. Unfortunately, the topic is far too involved to discuss here. Good luck!