Merge branch 'main' of https://github.com/sanderstad/powershellbyexample

Author: sanderstad

content/post/xml.md

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+---
+title: XML
+author: Sander Stad
+date: '2023-12-12'
+categories:
+  - Example
+weight: 240
+---
+
+XML, or eXtensible Markup Language, is a versatile data format widely used for storing and exchanging structured information. In the realm of PowerShell, XML becomes a potent ally, offering a robust mechanism for handling and manipulating data in a hierarchical and human-readable way. In this article, we'll explore the integration of XML with PowerShell, unraveling the simplicity and efficacy it brings to scriptwriters.
+
+## Creating XML with PowerShell
+
+PowerShell provides seamless ways to generate XML content, both manually and programmatically. 
+
+Let's embark on a journey by creating a basic XML structure using PowerShell's intrinsic capabilities:
+
+```powershell
+# Creating a simple XML document
+$xmlDocument = New-Object System.Xml.XmlDocument
+
+# Adding a root element
+$rootElement = $xmlDocument.CreateElement("Root")
+$xmlDocument.AppendChild($rootElement)
+
+# Adding child elements
+$childElement1 = $xmlDocument.CreateElement("Child1")
+$childElement1.InnerText = "Value1"
+$rootElement.AppendChild($childElement1)
+
+$childElement2 = $xmlDocument.CreateElement("Child2")
+$childElement2.InnerText = "Value2"
+$rootElement.AppendChild($childElement2)
+
+# Save the XML to a file
+$xmlDocument.Save("C:\Path\To\Your\File.xml")
+```
+
+Result:
+
+```xml
+<Root>
+  <Child1>Value1</Child1>
+  <Child2>Value2</Child2>
+</Root>
+```
+
+In this example, we create an XML document, add a root element named "Root," and populate it with two child elements, each containing a distinct value. The resulting XML is then saved to a specified file path.
+
+## Reading XML with PowerShell
+
+Reading XML in PowerShell is an intuitive process, allowing seamless navigation through the document's hierarchical structure. 
+
+Let's explore how to extract information from an XML file:
+
+```powershell
+# Load XML from a file
+$xmlFilePath = "C:\Path\To\Your\File.xml"
+$xmlContent = Get-Content -Path $xmlFilePath
+$xmlDocument = [xml]$xmlContent
+
+# Accessing elements
+$rootValue = $xmlDocument.Root.InnerText
+$child1Value = $xmlDocument.Root.Child1.InnerText
+$child2Value = $xmlDocument.Root.Child2.InnerText
+
+# Displaying values
+Write-Host "Root Value: $rootValue"
+Write-Host "Child1 Value: $child1Value"
+Write-Host "Child2 Value: $child2Value"
+```
+
+Result:
+
+```
+C:\> Write-Host "Root Value: $rootValue"
+Root Value: Value1Value2
+C:\> Write-Host "Child1 Value: $child1Value"
+Child1 Value:
+C:\> Write-Host "Child2 Value: $child2Value"
+Child2 Value:
+```
+
+In this snippet, we load an XML file, cast it to an XML type, and then access specific elements and their corresponding values. The result is a straightforward display of the extracted data.
+
+## Modifying XML with PowerShell
+
+PowerShell empowers users to dynamically modify XML content, offering unparalleled flexibility in handling changing data requirements. 
+
+Let's delve into an example where we update the value of a child element:
+
+```powershell
+# Load XML from a file
+$xmlFilePath = "C:\Path\To\Your\File.xml"
+$xmlContent = Get-Content -Path $xmlFilePath
+$xmlDocument = [xml]$xmlContent
+
+# Modify a child element's value
+$xmlDocument.Root.Child1 = "New Value"
+
+# Save the modified XML
+$xmlDocument.Save($xmlFilePath)
+```
+
+Result:
+
+```xml
+<Root>
+  <Child1>New Value</Child1>
+  <Child2>Value2</Child2>
+</Root>
+```
+
+In this scenario, we load the XML file, update the value of a specific child element (Child1), and then save the modified XML content back to the file.