What's the best XML parser for Perl?

Question

I have tried many of the Perl XML Parsers. I was quite interested in the Sablotron Parser, but it is such a pain to install on a Windows box. Currently I have started usin

Answer 1

In my experience XML::Simple is best for quick and dirty parsing of XML. We use it for parsing data from third parties that do not always conform to the XML standard. XML::Simple throws informative errors and gets you up an running extremely quickly.

Answer 2

I think you should give XML::MyXML a try, too. It's very easy to use.

Answer 3

If you need speed, power or features, XML::LibXML is the way to go. If you're after ease of use, though, XML::Simple is a viable alternative.

Answer 4

(Actually it's not an answer, but a comment - however, I cannot comment...)

XML::Simple has been mentioned here.
(I know it's few from few years ago, but this appeared up in Google today...)

However, it's site (http://metacpan.org/pod/XML::Simple) now says:

STATUS OF THIS MODULE

The use of this module in new code is discouraged. Other modules are available which provide more straightforward and consistent interfaces. In particular, XML::LibXML is highly recommended.

The major problems with this module are the large number of options and the arbitrary ways in which these options interact - often with unexpected results.

Patches with bug fixes and documentation fixes are welcome, but new features are unlikely to be added.

Answer 5

I'll offer one that SHOULD NOT be used: XML::Parser.

It automatically expands HTML entities to their UTF-8 equivalents, and the option to disable this behavior does not work on the most characteristic of all entities, &.

Additionally, its XMLDecl-parser will interpret and display the standalone attribute in the <?xml ... ?> block as "standalone"="1", which is absolutely incorrect -- it should be "standalone"="yes".

Answer 6

You could also look at XML::Liberal which uses LibXML underneath.