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

This will give the following result:

Array
(
    [name] => My Template Name
    [author] => John Doe
    [positions] => Array
        (
            [position] => Array
                (
                    [0] => top-a
                    [1] => top-b
                    [2] => sidebar-a
                    [3] => footer-a
                )

        )

)