Sugestions wanted for XML parser

Hello.


I'm a beginner in all this parsing subject, and I'm interested in
writing a simple XML parser.


As I'm really a beginner, I'm only planning that the parser analyzes a
XML input file, and returns an array with tag description (tag name,
tag value and parent tag id), so it won't be validating with a DTD
file. Also, it wont be checking for version tags or anything like
that.


I'm planning to write it has follows:


loop ( read file char by char )


if previous_char = "<" and char = "?"
// version tag; ignore


else if previous_char = "<"
// place = tag name


else if previous_char = ">" and char <> "<"
// place = tag value




(..) (and so on, checking for tag combinations with conditions)
(and then copy values to the tags array, according to the place)


previous_char = char


(...)


This would transform something like:


<clients>
<client>
<id>1</id>
</client>
<client>
<id>2</id>
</client>
</clients>


into an array that looks something like this:


structure[tag_name] = clients
structure[tag_id] = 1
structure[tag_value] = (none)
structure[tag_parent] = (none)


structure[tag_name] = client
structure[tag_id] = 2
structure[tag_value] = (none)
structure[tag_parent] = 1


structure[tag_name] = id
structure[tag_id] = 3
structure[tag_value] = 1
structure[tag_parent] = 2


structure[tag_name] = client
structure[tag_id] = 4
structure[tag_value] = (none)
structure[tag_parent] = 1


structure[tag_name] = id
structure[tag_id] = 5
structure[tag_value] = 2
structure[tag_parent] = 4




So, basicly... is this a good way to "go for it" ?
Should I use another method ?




Thanks.

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