How do I create variables from XML data in PHP?

Question

Been trying to figure this out for a short while now but having now luck, for example I have an external xml document like this:

&         


        

Answer 1

Use SimpleXML to parse the file into an object/array structure, then simply use list:

$sxml = new SimpleXMLElement($xml);
$positions = (array)$sxml->positions->children();
list($top_a, $top_b, $sidebar_a, $footer_a) = $positions['position'];