How do i prettify XML which is returned as a String in AngularJS

DORSETRIGS

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07-10-2024

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Taming the XML Beast: Prettifying XML Strings in AngularJS

Working with XML in web applications often involves receiving data as plain strings. While functional, this raw format can be a nightmare to read and understand. Fortunately, AngularJS offers a way to transform these messy strings into neatly formatted XML, making your code more readable and maintainable.

Let's imagine you're fetching XML data from an API in your AngularJS application:

// Example API call
$http.get('/api/products')
  .then(function(response) {
    // response.data contains the raw XML string
    console.log(response.data);
  });

The response.data variable holds the XML as a plain string. While technically correct, it's a tangled mess that's difficult to decipher.

The Power of angular.element

AngularJS provides a handy utility called angular.element that can be used to manipulate DOM elements, including XML. Here's how you can use it to prettify your XML:

1. Convert the String to a DOM Element:

   var xmlString = response.data; // Our raw XML string
   var xmlDoc = angular.element('<xml>' + xmlString + '</xml>'); 
   

   This code creates a temporary XML document using angular.element. We wrap the original string with <xml> tags to ensure proper structure.

2. Use XML Serialization (optional):

   var formattedXml = (new XMLSerializer()).serializeToString(xmlDoc[0]);
   

   This step converts the DOM element back into a formatted XML string. It's optional, but it ensures that the output is a valid XML string.

3. Display the prettified XML:

   console.log(formattedXml); 
   

   This line will display the prettified XML in your console.

Example:

Here's a complete example illustrating the process:

angular.module('myApp', [])
  .controller('MyController', function($scope, $http) {

    $http.get('/api/products')
      .then(function(response) {
        var xmlString = response.data;
        var xmlDoc = angular.element('<xml>' + xmlString + '</xml>');
        var formattedXml = (new XMLSerializer()).serializeToString(xmlDoc[0]);
        $scope.prettyXml = formattedXml;
      });
  });

In this example, the prettified XML is stored in $scope.prettyXml which can be easily displayed in your view using AngularJS's data binding capabilities.

Beyond the Console:

You can extend this approach for different purposes:

• Display in HTML: Use ng-bind-html directive to display the prettified XML in your view.
• Send formatted data: Utilize the formatted XML string for further processing or sending to other services.
• Customization: Explore additional features like xmlDoc.outerHTML for different formatting options.

Remember: While this approach offers a simple way to prettify XML strings, you might need to employ dedicated libraries like xml2json for complex scenarios involving data parsing and transformation.

Key takeaway: Always strive for clean and readable code. Prettifying XML strings in AngularJS helps improve the maintainability of your applications and makes debugging a breeze.