How can I reformat xml data with fme?

Taming XML with FME: A Human’s Guide to Reformatting Data

XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is everywhere. It’s the unsung hero of data storage and sharing, loved for being both readable and super flexible. But let’s be honest, its nested structure can be a real headache when you’re trying to wrangle it into a database or system that prefers things nice and flat. That’s where FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) swoops in to save the day. It’s a seriously powerful data integration platform, packed with tools to reformat XML data, no matter how tangled it might be. So, let’s dive into how you can use FME to make XML dance to your tune.

Getting Down to Basics

First things first, it’s important to get your head around how FME sees XML. Think of an XML document as a family tree, with elements as the relatives and attributes as their little quirks or defining characteristics. Elements are the main branches, marked by those familiar tags (like ), while attributes give you extra details (think ). FME’s cool because it can turn any of those XML elements into what it calls an FME feature.

When FME reads XML, it gives you a few ways to do it:

• The XML Reader with Feature Paths: This is your bread-and-butter approach. You tell FME which XML bits you want by creating feature paths. Imagine them as little search queries that pinpoint exactly what you need from that XML tree.
• The XML Reader with XSD Schema: Got a complex XML format? No sweat. An XML Schema Definition (XSD) file acts like a map, showing FME exactly what to expect in the XML structure and what kind of data it’s dealing with.
• The XML Reader with XFMap or XRS: These are the specialist tools for when you’re dealing with more obscure XML flavors.
• Text File Reader with XQuery: This is a bit of a power-user move, using FME’s Text File reader alongside XQuery and other XML-wrangling tools.

FME’s Secret Weapon: The Transformers

FME’s got a whole arsenal of transformers designed to manipulate XML. Here are a few of the MVPs:

• XMLFlattener: This transformer is a real workhorse. It takes that nested XML structure and smashes it down into a nice, flat table. It grabs the content and attributes from the XML elements and turns them into feature attributes. It can even reach up the family tree to grab attributes from ancestor elements.
• XMLFragmenter: Think of this as your XML slicer-and-dicer. It chops up a single XML document into multiple features, based on whatever element you tell it to look for. Super handy when you need to process individual bits of a larger XML file.
• XMLTemplater: This one’s like an XML factory. You feed it relational data, and it spits out XML documents. It uses templates with XML and XQuery to build the exact XML structure you need.
• XMLAppender: Need to stitch together a Frankenstein XML monster? The XMLAppender takes multiple XML documents or fragments and glues them together into one. Perfect for building complex structures from smaller pieces.
• XMLFormatter: This is your XML cleanup crew. It tidies up your XML, making it pretty with indentation, squeezing it into a single line, or getting rid of extra whitespace.
• ListPopulator & ListExploder: Got many-to-many relationships in your XML? These transformers are your friends. The ListPopulator creates a list of related elements, and the ListExploder then turns that list into individual features.
• XMLUpdater: Need to tweak some XML on the fly? The XMLUpdater lets you modify the contents of an XML document based on your own rules.

Real-World XML Transformations

Let’s look at some common XML challenges and how to solve them with FME:

Pro Tips for XML Wrangling in FME

• Know your XML: Before you even touch FME, get to know the structure of your XML data inside and out.
• Feature paths are your friends: Take the time to define your feature paths carefully.
• Schemas are your safety net: If you have an XSD schema, use it! It’ll help you keep your data clean and consistent.
• Inspect, inspect, inspect: Use the FME Data Inspector to check your data at every step.
• Think about speed: Got a massive XML file? Look into feature caching and parallel processing to speed things up.

Final Thoughts

FME is a seriously powerful tool for reformatting XML. Once you get the hang of the basics and start experimenting with those transformers, you’ll be able to conquer even the gnarliest XML challenges. So go forth and tame that XML!