XPath in Delphi7?

What is the best way of searching XML documents using XPath in Delphi7?

From stackoverflow

• It depends on the size of the xml document. But I have good experience with both MSXML and its Saxon counterpart.

  If the xml is large (>50 MB) or the queries are heavy (use some // to make your system crawl) expect some delay time. But else it is perfectly doable.

  In later versions, msxml is available as a unit. In version 7 you need to install a type library:

  • Go to Project\Import type library
  • Select Microsoft XML, (the highest version you can find)
  • Select Create unit to create MSXML_TLB

  You can use MSXML_TLB to read xml documents, use xslt and perform xpath queries:

  var
    doc  : IXMLDomDocument2;
    list : IXMLDomNodeList;
    node : IXMLDomNode;
    i    : Integer;
  
  begin
    doc := CoDOMDocument.Create;
    doc.load(xmlfilename); 
  
    list := doc.selectNodes(xpath);
    for i := 0 to list.length-1 do begin
      node := list.item[i];
      if node<>nil then
        Memo1.Lines.Add(node.nodeName);
    end;
  end;
  

  Ricardo Acras : Thanks for your answere... How do I "install" MSXML in Delphi?

  Gamecat : I added an example in the answer. Hope it works.

• Hi,

  When I have to deal with XML files in Delphi I always use OmniXML, a component I've been using for years. I'm totally happy with it, mainly because it's light, easy to use and free.

  And it works with XPath in a easy way also. It's worth a try, I hope it helps you also.