[RESOLVED] ASP.net - Reading XML File

[cfisher]

How would I open and XML file on my "C" drive and read the contents?

If I save it to a server drive, it's easy:

Dim myDataSet As New DataSet()
myDataSet.ReadXml(Server.MapPath("~/XMLData/RightFax.xml"))
Me.GridView1.DataSource = myDataSet
GridView1.DataBind()


What I would prefer to do though, is have the user save the XML file to their PC (the get it via e-mail), but be able to access my web site and load the contents.

Any ideas would be appreciated

[mendhak]

You can get them to upload the file. Place an ASP.NET FileUpload control on your page.

If FileUpload1.HasFile Then
FileUpload1.SaveAs(Server.MapPath("/XMLData/something.xml"))
End If

Then read it as you normally would.

Of course there's more to it than just this. You'd give the XML file a different name for each user if you don't want them to overwrite each other's XML.

[cfisher]

Thanks for the idea. It seems like a good approach, but I was hoping to avoid transferring it to the server. Is it possible to just open the file from the PC or would I save myself allot of headache just by using your idea?

[mendhak]

You'll save yourself a lot of headache, because if you go for client-side solution, you're going to have to create an applet - Flash, Java, ActiveX, Silverlight... and the problem with this approach is that you have to write it and then host it, make sure it works with any javascript you might have or with the rest of your app and convince your users to install it (it's almost equivalent to having a desktop app, since all the code's running client side).

Uploading and downloading a file isn't that difficult, really

[cfisher]

That's what I was thinking but was not sure. Thanks for your help. I'm going to go with your first suggestion.

[mendhak]

Sure, ask us if you get stuck at any point.

[gep13]

Hey,

Just to add my two cents...

In terms of navigating the XML document, XPath is your friend. You will find some links in my signature to help you if you are unsure.

Gary

[cfisher]

Thanks for the help guys. Here is what I ended up doing in hopes it can help others:

        If Me.XMLUpload.HasFile = False Then
            Response.Write("<script>alert('You must select a file to load.')</Script>")
            Exit Sub
        End If

        If Mid(Me.XMLUpload.PostedFile.FileName, Len(Me.XMLUpload.PostedFile.FileName) - 3, Len(Me.XMLUpload.PostedFile.FileName)) <> ".xml" Then
            Response.Write("<script>alert('Only XML data files can be loaded.')</Script>")
            Exit Sub
        End If

        'Get the next sequence number to load into the requests table
        Dim conSeqNo As New OracleClient.OracleConnection("myconn string")
        Dim cmdSeqNo As New OracleClient.OracleCommand("SELECT RMANUMBER.NEXTVAL FROM DUAL", conSeqNo)
        conSeqNo.Open()
        Dim rdrSeqNo As OracleClient.OracleDataReader = cmdSeqNo.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection)
        While rdrSeqNo.Read
            Session("RequestID") = rdrSeqNo.GetValue(0)
        End While
        'Implicitly closes the connection because CommandBehaviour.CloseConnection was specified
        rdrSeqNo.Close()

        'Move the file to the server
        If Me.XMLUpload.HasFile Then
            Me.XMLUpload.SaveAs(Server.MapPath("~/XMLData/" & Session("RequestID") & ".xml"))
        End If

        'Display the file on the screen
        Dim myDataSet As New DataSet()
        myDataSet.ReadXml(Server.MapPath("~/XMLData/" & Session("RequestID") & ".xml"))
        Me.GridView1.DataSource = myDataSet
        GridView1.DataBind()

        File.Delete(Server.MapPath("~/XMLData/" & Session("RequestID") & ".xml"))
        Me.GridView1.Visible = False

Then in the GridView Row Data Bound event

        If e.Row.RowType = DataControlRowType.DataRow Then
            Me.txtCustomer.Text = e.Row.Cells(0).Text
        End If

So far it works like a charm. Thanks again for you help.

[gep13]

Hey,

I just have a couple comments on the code that you have posted, nothing major, but just things to keep in mind.

1) Try to avoid using Response.Write, this just causing more problems than it's worth. There, have a label on the page, and write the error text to that.
2) Rather than explicitly calling .Close on the DataReader, I would recommend that you wrap all of those types of objects with in a Using Statement, that way, when the object is about to go out of scope, it is closed and disposed of. You can find an example of this here:

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=469872

Gary

[mendhak]

For example, that first Response.Write can be replaced with a ClientScript.RegisterStartupScript which is cleaner.

[gep13]

Ah... yeah, I didn't actually look at what was in the Response.Write. I assumed it was just a string the OP was writing to the response.

ClientScript.RegisterStartupScript is definitely the way to go.

Gary

[cfisher]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll be sure to use them. I'm always looking for ways to write code better and your ideas are a great help.