XPath Query Builder Window
In This Topic
The XPath Query Builder make it simple to constructing and prototype XPath expressions.
The tool automatically attaches to the active XML window, XPath Intellisense is provided based on the selected XML document, and the results of the query are shown in real time on the XML editor.
Selected Nodes
Provides a list of all the XML nodes that match the XPath Expression. You can drill down into each node.
Right clicking on a node in the tree allows you to select the XPath for the selected node
Code Snippet
Provides the source code needed to use your XML expression in C#, Java, VB.Net, Visual Basic and XSLT.
This is especially useful when namespaces are being used within the expression.
Namespaces
If the XML document uses namespaces to qualify its elements and attributes, then you must also provide aliases for all the namespaces you use. This can be done in the Namespaces tab. This is automatically populated with the namespaces from the selected XML document, so typically you don't need to change this.
Settings
Allows you to change the way in which the XPath queries are executed, and displayed.
Auto Execute
If this is checked then the expression is evaluated every time the expression or the XML file are changed (this can slow things down, see comments below)
Show Comments
Shows the comments as nodes in the "Selected Nodes" list and as highlighted entities in the XML (should they be selected).
Typically showing these just clutters the view, but it may be useful to see them.
Show White space
Shows the white space as nodes in the "Selected Nodes" list and as highlighted entities in the XML (should they be selected).
Typically showing these just clutters the view, but it may be useful to see them.
On large document the XPath Query can consume a reasonable amount of CPU time. Because the XPath expression is re-evaluated whenever the XML changes, this can slow the application down.
Un-checking the "Auto Execute", clearing the XPath Expression or closing the XPath window will prevent the expression being evaluated on every key stroke.
In Summary: When editing large XML files, it may be worth clearing your XPath expression or un-checking the "Auto Execute" Option.
See Also