how to convert dom4j document object to string

Question

Just trying to find a way to convert a Dom4J Document content to String. It has a asXML() API which converts the content to a XML. In my case,I'm editing a non-xml DOM structure using Dom4J and trying to convert the content to String. I know its possible in case of w3c document.

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

Solution 1

asXml() return String from Document object

String text = document.asXML()

Solution 2

Why can't you just do:

String result = dom.toXML().toString();

If you want to do it the long way, then you use a TransformerFactory to transform the DOM to anything you want. First thing you do is wrap your Document in a DOMSource

DOMSource domSource = new DOMSource(document);

Prepare a StringWriter so we can route the stream to a String:

StringWriter writer = new StringWriter();
StreamResult streamResult = new StreamResult(writer);

Prepare a TransformationFactory so you can transform the DOM to the source provided:

TransformerFactory transformerFactory = TransformerFactory.newInstance();
Transformer transformer = transformerFactory .newTransformer();
transformer.transform(domSource, streamResult);

Finally, you get the String:

String result = writer.toString();

Hope that helped!

Comments

[javanna]

Have you solved? Why asXml() doesn't work for you? I don't understand what you need, can you clarify your question please?

[zaid hussian]

He stated he wanted non-XML, though he didn't elaborate on what the desired format actually was. Your solution produces XML.

[Enerccio]

maybe because you are using SAX?