Get started with XPath

Level: Introductory

Bertrand Portier (portier@uk.ibm.com), Software Engineer, IBM

11 May 2004

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This tutorial introduces the W3C standard, XPath. It is aimed at people who do not know XPath or who want a refresher. If you plan to use XSLT, you should take this tutorial first. You will learn what XPath is, the syntax and semantics of the XPath language, how to use XPath location paths, how to use XPath expressions, how to use XPath functions, and how XPath relates to XSLT. This tutorial covers XPath Version 1.0.

Prerequisites

This tutorial assumes basic knowledge of XML. For example, you should know what elements, attributes, and values are. If you aren't familiar with these, take the "Introduction to XML" tutorial, listed in Resources.

System requirements

You will need JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You will also need a text editor and a Web browser. Although it's not a prerequisite, you may also find it useful to have an XML editor, as it will include an XPath evaluator that allows you to test the XPath expressions used here.

Duration

Under one hour

Formats

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