Case – Loading Data from XML in AppML: Structured Data Integration Made Easy

Introduction – Why Use XML in AppML?

While JSON is popular, XML is still widely used in legacy systems, enterprise APIs, and configuration files. AppML supports loading and displaying data from XML files directly, making it ideal for working with structured, tag-based data formats—especially in academic, government, or ERP applications.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to load XML files in AppML using appml-data
• How XML is parsed and mapped to AppML fields
• How to bind and display data using {{}} placeholders
• Practical XML use cases and best practices

What Kind of XML Structure Works with AppML?

AppML expects an XML file that contains a repeating element structure—like rows of records under a common parent node.

Sample XML File: data/products.xml

<products>
  <product>
    <id>1</id>
    <name>Laptop</name>
    <price>1000</price>
  </product>
  <product>
    <id>2</id>
    <name>Phone</name>
    <price>500</price>
  </product>
</products>

Here, each <product> is a record, and its child nodes are fields.

HTML Example – Displaying XML Data in AppML

<div appml-data="data/products.xml">
  <p>{{name}} – ${{price}}</p>
</div>

AppML automatically:

• Parses the XML file
• Extracts all <product> nodes
• Maps child tags like <name> and <price> to {{}} bindings

XML + Model Integration

You can combine your XML data with an AppML model for structure, validation, and filtering.

<div 
  appml-data="data/products.xml" 
  appml-model="models/product-model.json">
  <p>{{name}} – ${{price}}</p>
</div>

✔️ This allows client-side validation or formatting using model definitions.

Filtering XML Data with Controllers

Add a controller to manipulate XML data before it’s rendered:

product-controller.js

myAppML.onshow = function() {
  myAppML.filter = "price > 600";
};

This filters products where price is above 600 and updates the view accordingly.

Use Cases for XML with AppML

Best Practices for XML in AppML

Summary – Recap & Key Takeaways

AppML offers full support for structured XML files, making it easy to reuse existing data formats and quickly build applications without backend changes. From product listings to public data visualizations, XML remains a valuable format—and AppML helps you display it efficiently.

Key Takeaways:

• Use appml-data="file.xml" to bind and display XML content
• Works with records under repeating nodes like <product>
• Combine with models for better formatting and input structure
• Filtering and sorting work the same as JSON
• Perfect for legacy data integration and offline apps

XML support ensures AppML remains flexible in mixed environments—both modern and legacy.

FAQs – Loading XML Data in AppML

Can I load deeply nested XML structures?
Not directly. AppML works best with flat record nodes. Preprocess complex XML if needed.

Do I need a model file to use XML?
No. It’s optional but useful for structure, sorting, and validation.

What happens if a record is missing a tag?
AppML handles it gracefully by leaving the corresponding {{}} empty.

Can AppML submit data back to an XML file?
No. XML files are read-only in AppML. For writable formats, use JSON or APIs.

Is XML slower to load than JSON in AppML?
Slightly. XML needs parsing and tag mapping, so keep files lightweight.