Yet Another XML Import Problem

[Leader]

I'm had two ego blows in one day. I've used XML for a few years and planned to do a demostration of importing XML into FM8.2. Instead, FM8 refused to import the XML, reporting an error on the 3rd to the last line of the file.

I've stripped the file down to perhaps 10 or 12 lines (from 600+) and FM8 continues to report an error on the 3rd to last line.

I just don't see it. The XML example seems well-formed, appears to match the DTD, has closing tags throughout, but FM8 rejects it without giving a specific reason.

Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas? Thanks.

[Fenton]

Is is possible that there's an invisible character which is the problem? Why don't you post the files (xml and xsl, probably zip them, so they don't get messed with).

You need better tools than just FileMaker to deal with xml: a real text editor, such as BBEdit or TextWrangler (free), both from http://www.barebones.com, or a dedicated xml program. There's a free one on this page (Java however, they all are on Mac OS X), http://www.exchangerxml.com/, specifically: http://www.freexmleditor.com/

Another good tool is TestXSLT, at: http://www.entropy.ch/software/macosx/, specifically: http://www.entropy.ch/software/macosx/#testxslt

[Leader]

Your question about an invisible character was raised by someone locally here. I'm just not 'seeing' anything invisible (chuckling), but I haven't yet brought it up in a hex editor.

Thanks, Fenton. I'm so used to 'wrangling' XML by hand, I might not know what to do with my spare time! I will post a sample along with the DTD if one of the programs you mentioned doesn't detect anything.

[Leader]

Fenton, I downloaded the pieces you suggested and wanted to let you know I appreciated the links.

[Leader]

Fenton, I downloaded the pieces you suggested and wanted to let you know I appreciated the links.

[Martin Brändle]

Fenton,

thank you for the hints. The Exchanger XML Lite 3.2 editor is really cool. It analyzes the loaded XSLT filed and offers for example all defined variables in drop down lists for selection. One drawback is the open file dialog, which is cumbersome for mounted external filesystems.

[Fenton]

Yes. Sadly there seems to be no Mac OS X native full xml editor as yet. They are all Java. Which is OK, as far as it goes, and it seems they are quite advanced as far as xml goes. But they are primitive as far as file navigation goes (and a little stilted in general interface design, by comparison). It's kind of annoying if you're used to the basic elegance of OS X, and real annoying if you're used to the luxury of such tools as Default Folder (which sadly I cannot use yet on my iMac Intel). There are good OS X native tranformation applications, such as TestXSLT. And BBEdit is any excellent text editor, but it does not have the features of an true xml editor (an understatement). I read things that lead me to believe there is a native xml processor in OS X. But no native full xml editor applications.