XML_INSERT_BEFORE

Script function: Creates a new XML element and inserts this in front of another element.

Syntax

XML_INSERT_BEFORE (parent element, Reference element, Name, Value)

Syntax part

Description/format

Parent element

Reference to the element where the reference element is located.
Format: script literal or script variable

Reference element Reference to the element, in front of which the new element should be inserted. Must be located within the parent element.
Format: script literal or script variable
Name Name of the new element
Format: script literal or script variable
Value Value of the new element
Format: script literal or script variable

Return code

Reference to the new element.

The script element inserts a new element in front of a specified existing element within the XML document that is open. Specify the parent element, the reference element it contains, and the name including the value of the new element.

Important!

  • The reference element entered must refer to a direct sub-element of the parent element. Otherwise, there will be a runtime error when the script element is executed.
  • Spaces are not permitted in the element name and lead to a runtime error.

Notes:

  • The XML structure will only be modified in the memory. The script element does not have an effect on the Documentation tab.
  • Use the XML_OPEN script function to open the XML document. For more information, see XML_OPEN.

Example

The following example opens a structured Documentation tab as an XML document. The new element 'New_Element' will be inserted before the sub-element 'SubChild2' within the parent element 'Child'.

Subsequently, all sub-elements of the parent element will be output and checked to see whether the element was successfully inserted.

:SET &XMLDOCU#=XML_OPEN(DOCU,,"@Details")

:IF &XMLDOCU# <>
""
:SET &PARENT# = XML_SELECT_NODE(&XMLDOCU#,"Child")
:SET &REF# = XML_SELECT_NODE(&XMLDOCU#,"Child/SubChild2")

:SET &NEW# = XML_INSERT_BEFORE(&PARENT#,&REF#,"New_Element","Test")

:SET &ELEMENT# = XML_GET_FIRST_CHILD(&PARENT#)

:WHILE &ELEMENT# <> ""
: SET &NAME# = XML_GET_NODE_NAME(&ELEMENT#)
: P 'Element: &NAME#'
: SET &ELEMENT# = XML_GET_NEXTSIBLING(&ELEMENT#)
:ENDWHILE

:ENDIF



:XML_CLOSE &XMLDOCU#

Result in the activation log:

2013-08-14 13:32:27 – U0020408 Element: SubChild1
2013-08-14 13:32:27 – U0020408 Element: New_Element
2013-08-14 13:32:27 – U0020408 Element: SubChild2

See also: