[americamba]

Hi,

I am not only new at this stuff, I really don't have the right mental circuits for it so I need help!! Thanks in advance...

I had a big file FTPd to my server. My hosting company unzipped it. After the unzip the xml file in the server was 42939400 bytes. After I downloaded it to my local directory it has 44021164. Is this a problem that it changed in size during the download? I mention this to give you all relevant information. Can that have messed things up?

When I click on the file in my local directory to open it I get the following error message:
........................................................................... ....

The XML page cannot be displayed
Cannot view XML input using style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The system cannot locate the resource specified. Error processing resource 'onix-international.dtd'. Line 3, Position 55

<!DOCTYPE ONIXmessage SYSTEM "onix-international.dtd">

.................................................................

I hope you can help, thanks, Frank

[Shadow2531]

The size change is probably OK. Because of the cluster size of your hard drive, the size info may be different. It should be OK.

Now the reason the xml file isn't working is because there is a pointer in the xml file which requires an external document type declaration found in a separate file. e.g. A web page.

That file should be in the same directory as the xml file.

If you open the file in a text editor that handles large files like that, you can view the document type declaration and possibly change it to make the xml file work or, locate the resource file as it says in the error.

The resource file could be a css style sheet also.

Their could also be errors in the xml file.

These may help.

http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml#dt-markupdecl
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml#sec-well-formed

Basically I don't think you have the file that goes along with it.

You might see something like the following when you load the xml file in a text editor.

PHP Code:

<?xml version="1.0"?> <!DOCTYPE greeting SYSTEM "onix-international.dtd">

[americamba]

Thanks a million, Shadow. I think I will begin to learn something from the links y ou gave me. Meanwhile, I just thought of something. Like I said, the unzipped document is in my PC. I am trying to open it by just clicking on it. That is OK, right? I can open and see the structure of other xml documents by just doing that. Or.........am I making an unwarranted assumption that by clicking the xml processor will kick in? Maybe the other xml docs have something that the present enormous one doesn't have. Can you think of any other leads for me to follow? Thanks, Frank PS, I am pretty sure the original zipped file that was FTPd to me is OK. It comes from a McGrawHIll and I don't think they screw up with their xml feeds. Could it have been damaged in the unzipping or in the downloading to my PC?

[americamba]

Shadow, thanks. You got me int he right direction. I did not have some accompanying files in the local directory where the xml file was. I put them in and now it opens.

Next step, could you recommend (preferably freeware) any package that will let me get SOME of the enormous xml file into a database where I will be able to use it?

The big file is all the offereings of a major publisher. I need to get the data for about 50 of the thousands of books. To do this I need to see things in a table, and then get the info I need (only some of the fields) into a database. What would be good for this? hopefully with a GUI or if command line with very clear documentation and/or tutorial?

Thanks, Frank

[Shadow2531]

Glad you got the file working.

I'm found a bunch of XML/database programs by searching google, but I will let others who know post their recommendations.

www.xml.com


You can also ask at the HardForum to better your chances. (post in the web mastering forum)

[americamba]

Shadow,

I'm back at this. I looked up the sources you suggested. I can't find any simple inexpensive program that will work with my xml, allow me to filter, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, allow me to get the data into a database.

All the references are for developers, which I am not. I also posted on the Hard forum (in webmastering and programming as you suggested) but no help so far. I put the following request on Hard Forum: There were 22 reads and no reply. Is there something wrong with the wording or is this a very tough issue to solve? Hard Post follows:
.................................................

"is there a free or very reasonable (all the solutions seem to be aimed at corporate users) way to get xml content into a database?

I want to start a small on line bookstore. I get xml from a huge publisher. I need to be able to scan it, select certain fields, (hopefully filter it first to make the selection less painful) and then get it into a database." End of Hard Post...........................................


I need either a very simple GUI or clear instructions. Sorry to hit you with this again but it seems that this might be of use to a lot of people. Any further leads for me on this. Maybe I'm not seeing the things that might be of value.

As before, Many thanks, Frank
ps should I start this thread again with a more sexy subject?

[Shadow2531]

No need to repost this question, but this reply will bump the post back up to the top. You should reply to your post at the hardforum to bump it up. I check the webmastering section at the [H] a lot and never saw your post there so maybe most others didn't see the post.

I'll look into the xml thing more.

But what kind of database do you want to put the files in?

If you can make an example xml file that is very small that would be like one of the typical ones you get from that publisher and describe exactly what type of database, web software you're using, and anything else, then that will help a lot.

So basically be more specific.

Here's what i get out of what you are saying.

You have an xml file that has entries of books kind of like this.

Book Genre
Book Title
Author
Copyright info
Price

stuff like that.

Then you want to dispaly the XML like an html file where the entries would be setup in a table all nice and neat so it was easier to copy and past the info into a database

or

Use an XML file (with an external program) to generate or add to a database.

That's what I get out of it.

I don't mess with XML often enough, so being specific, will help.

[americamba]

shadow,

Thanks. As you say, getting my idea perfectly (quoting you) :


You have an xml file that has entries of books kind of like this.

Book Genre
Book Title
Author
Copyright info
Price

stuff like that.

Then you want to dispaly the XML like an html file where the entries would be setup in a table all nice and neat so it was easier to copy and past the info into a database

or

Use an XML file (with an external program) to generate or add to a database.

Of these, I would prefer the 2nd option, a program or routine to make the database because the xml file they send me has 4000 (sic!) pages! This would make it hard to sort, line up, cut, paste, etc.

As far as your request for specifics, sorry I was vague before. Here goes:

I made a short excerpt of the xml file (about 5 pages). How should I send it to you along with the field descriptions?

I eventually willl work with MySql (which I don't know too well yet) but I guess the initial transfer to databse structure can be anything, like: msAcess excel, csv, etc.

websoftware: At the time of using the databse, I probably will be using "easy populate' a development of the "oscommerce" group's store, at www.oscommerce.com.

I was in h forum "webmastering and programming" on 07-09-2003 06:23 PM, search "americamba".

Thanks a lot,

Frank

[Shadow2531]

OK, I see now.

Use winzip to zip up the xml file and any other required files and send it to shadow2531@tbbs.net or upload the zip file somewhere so I can download it.

I usually don't mess with databases so others who know should be in here posting some ideas (hint hint), but I'll try to figure it out.

You should also start learning XSL

[Shadow2531]

Have a look-see at http://www.w3schools.com/xsl/xsl_transformation.asp

If you can't figure it out, I will explain.

That will Display the xml file entries as html in a table.

This will help with xml to csv

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Web/..._20135963.html

Use the 1st comment for the example.
The first part is the XML file (name it csv.xml)
The second part is the xsl stylesheet. name it csv.xsl.
(When you copy the code for the xsl style sheet, it will add a left and right arrows inside the quotes in the xls = part. Just get rid of them and the xsl stylesheet will work.

The XML files you get should come with XSL files to transform the xml to html so you can view it in browsers as html, but if it doesn't, you will have to make one for the xml files. You should be able to use php or something to output to a file.

To me, the xml file is the database. You just need to use a server side scripting lanquage to dynamically display selected/search-matched entries as html. I'll have to mess with MySQL soon.

[americamba]

Shadow,

I just saw your latest post. I will have to check those things out. I sat down to answer your next-to-last post in which you suggest that I send you the mess. I really thank you for that offer
Thanks for the ongoing suppport and offer.

I won't have to impose on your kindness. Looks like you dodged the bullet. I found a product www.numericbase.com that gets my xml into an excel spreadsheet and from there I can get it where I want it. It looks like a good product. I have a 30 day trial so I will be trying to get to know the sorting and filtering features. It is not too expensive if I continue with this need. So, after all our interchange, the ressearch paid off. I can do this present task on my own. Thanks again.

Frank

[Shadow2531]

Cool that you found something.

BTW, I bumped up your post in the Hardforums.
Maybe somebody replied.