XPath

XSLT/XPath Reference: XSLT elements, EXSLT functions, XPath functions, XPath axes

XPath stands for XML Path Language. It uses a non-XML syntax to provide a flexible way of addressing (pointing to) different parts of an XML document. It can also be used to test addressed nodes within a document to determine whether they match a pattern or not.

XPath is mainly used in XSLT, but can also be used as a much more powerful way of navigating through the DOM of any XML-like language document using XPathExpression, such as HTML and SVG, instead of relying on the Document.getElementById() or Document.querySelectorAll() methods, the Node.childNodes properties, and other DOM Core features.

XPath uses a path notation (as in URLs) for navigating through the hierarchical structure of an XML document. It uses a non-XML syntax so that it can be used in URIs and XML attribute values.

Note: Support for XPath varies widely; it's supported reasonably well in Firefox (although there are no plans to improve support further), while other browsers implement it to a lesser extent, if at all. If you need a polyfill, you may consider js-xpath or wicked-good-xpath.

Documentation

Introduction to using XPath in JavaScript: Describes a non-XSLT use of XPath.
XPath:Axes: List and definition of the axes defined in the XPath specification. Axes are used to describe the relationships between nodes.
XPath:Functions: List and description of the core XPath functions and XSLT-specific additions to XPath.
Transforming XML with XSLT: XSLT uses XPath to address code segments in an XML document that it wishes to transform.
XPath snippets: These are JavaScript utility functions, that can be used in your own code, based on DOM Level 3 XPath APIs.
What is XSLT?: This extensive introduction to XSLT and XPath assumes no prior knowledge of the technologies, and guides the reader through background, context, structure, concepts, and introductory terminology.

Tools

ChroPath: XPath panel that integrates tightly into FireBug, providing an editor and inspector (FireFox Add-On).
XMLQuire (formerly known as SketchPath): A Graphical XPath Builder/Debugger(.NET).
XPath tester: An online XPath Builder/Debugger.

XPath

Documentation

Tools

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