Question

How can i read XML data dynamically? How can I manage my C# code as generic and dynamic as possible? Based on the requirements I will need to add further folder paths in Xml, which should not affect the written code in a way that it has to be rewritten..

Given a piece of XML as sample:

<?xml version="1.0" standalone="yes"?>
  <HOSTS>
   <Host id = '1'>
     <Extension>txt</Extension>
     <FolderPath>C:/temp</FolderPath>
   </Host>
   <Host id = '2'>
     <Extension>rar</Extension>
     <FolderPath>C:/Sample</FolderPath>
   </Host>
 </HOSTS>

How can I read the host id dynamically? What possibilities do I have?

Answer 1

Use LINQ to XML.

Example: to retrieve host with (id = 1):

string id = "1"


XDocument doc = XDocument.Load("data.xml");
var accounts = from elements in doc.Elements("HOSTS").Elements("Host")
                where elements.Attribute("id").Value = id
                    select elements.FirstOrDefault();