DebugXPath

DebugXPath is a little tool that allow user to test XPath expression on a xml file.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have met the following requirements:

• You have a Windows machine, only Windows is supported
• You have .Net Framework 4.6.2 or above on your machine

Installing DebugXPath

To install DebugXPath, download a zip file from the latest release. Unpack the file in a directory.

Using DebugXPath

You can launch the application from several ways:

• From the command line: DebugXPath, maybe add the application's executable path to your PATH.
• From the command line with a file path: DebugXPath <file path>.
• Click on the application executable.

File mode

When launched from the command line without parameter or when clicking on the executable, you enter "file mode" (prompt is File path > ). In "file mode" you can only enter a file path or specific commands.

Available commands:

• help : to show availables commands.
• exit : to exit the application.
• /namespaces or /ns : enter in "namespace mode".
• <file path> : enter in "XPath mode".

Namespace mode

In "namespace mode", you can manage your custom namespaces and their prefixes. Prompt is Namespaces > . An asterisk (*) is added when you add/delete a namespace. The asterisk is removed when you save.

Availables commands:

• help : to show availables commands.
• exit : to return to "file mode".
• display : to show all loaded custom namespaces.
• add <prefix> <uri> : add a new custom namespace.
• delete <prefix> : remove a custom namespace.
• save : save all custom namespaces.

XPath mode

When the provided path exists (or when launched with a parameter), you enter "xpath mode" (prompt is XPath > ).

Available commands:

• help : to show availables commands
• exit keyword to quit "xpath mode" or "selection mode".
• /nodes command to display child nodes of the current work node (default is the entire xml document).
• /select <xpath> command to select a node. The xpath parameter should target only one node. That single node will be used as the current work node. Enter "selection mode".
• <xpath> to display nodes corresponding to the provided xpath expression.

Selection mode

When using /select <xpath> command and when only one node is targeted, you enter in "selection mode" (prompt is XPath (selection) > ). You can use the same commands as the "xpath mode".

Custom prefix for namespaces

After the loading of a xml document, the application will try to display the default namespace and the corresponding prefix. When no prefix is found, a message will be displayed.

You should add that namespace in the Namespaces.txt file near the executable. You can also add a prefix when in "namespace mode". The format used in the file is <prefix><semi-colon><namespace uri>. For example: env;http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/. The namespaces file is only loaded at application launch.