How to create a tree from an XmlReader (LINQ to XML)

This article shows how to create an XML tree directly from an XmlReader in C# or Visual Basic. To create an XElement from an XmlReader, you position the XmlReader on an element node. The XmlReader will skip comments and processing instructions, but if the XmlReader is positioned on a text node, an error will be thrown. To avoid such errors, position the XmlReader on an element before you create an XML tree from the XmlReader.

Example: Load XElement object from an XmlReader object

This example uses the XML document Sample XML file: Books.

The following code creates a XmlReader object, reads nodes until it finds the first element node, and loads the XElement object.

XmlReader r = XmlReader.Create("books.xml");
while (r.NodeType != XmlNodeType.Element)
    r.Read();
XElement e = XElement.Load(r);
Console.WriteLine(e);

Dim r As XmlReader = XmlReader.Create("books.xml")
Do While r.NodeType <> XmlNodeType.Element
    r.Read()
Loop
Dim e As XElement = XElement.Load(r)
Console.WriteLine(e)

This example produces the following output:

<Catalog>
   <Book id="bk101">
      <Author>Garghentini, Davide</Author>
      <Title>XML Developer's Guide</Title>
      <Genre>Computer</Genre>
      <Price>44.95</Price>
      <PublishDate>2000-10-01</PublishDate>
      <Description>An in-depth look at creating applications
      with XML.</Description>
   </Book>
   <Book id="bk102">
      <Author>Garcia, Debra</Author>
      <Title>Midnight Rain</Title>
      <Genre>Fantasy</Genre>
      <Price>5.95</Price>
      <PublishDate>2000-12-16</PublishDate>
      <Description>A former architect battles corporate zombies,
      an evil sorceress, and her own childhood to become queen
      of the world.</Description>
   </Book>
</Catalog>

See also

• Parse XML