Delphi XML parser and writer component NativeXml (source available)

NativeXml

NativeXml: A native Delphi XML parser and writer
Added: 28Sep2002
Updated: 09jun2015
Current version: 3.30
Open-Source version: 3.30
Languages: Delphi (5 - XE), Kylix, C++ Builder, Lazarus/FPC

This software component contains a small-footprint Object Pascal (Delphi) XML implementation that allows to read and write XML documents. You basically only need one unit and you can simply add it to the "uses" clause.

You can use this software to read XML documents from files, streams or strings. The load routine generates events that can be used to display load progress on the fly. You can also use it to create and save XML documents.

Open-Source!

NativeXml is currently open-sourced. See here:
SimDesign's NativeXml forum

NativeXml.pas	This Pascal source file contains the complete XML functionality. Versions are included for Delphi 5 all the way thru Delphi XE! When you purchase, you are entitled to premium support through the forum and/or email. So please state your name and registration code in email.
Additionals	Source files "NativeXmlObjectStorage.pas" and "NativeXmlAppend.pas", which provide object persistance.These Pascal source files contain the complete XML functionality.
readme.txt	Information about the package.
NativeXml.pdf	Document with description of object structure, properties, methods and types. It also contains 4 examples.
Examples	These folders contain many example applications. The first one is a very simpe example showing the basics, the second shows a complete GUI application that can be used to browse XML Documents. The 3rd shows how to load/save records to/from XML, the 4th shows how to append XML nodes to the end of an XML file that remains on disk. Full source included in the examples!

Features

Read XML directly from string, stream or file with fast parser (1Mb/sec on 1.5GHz P3), writes to string, stream and file even faster.
Import of all common tags, including comments, CDATA, XML declarations and stylesheets.
Load from streaming media is supported; you can set up events to work with the node data while it comes in. See example 1. No need to keep the whole XML document in memory! Works well for huge documents. This is the SAX-like approach.
Save to file, string or stream in readable, preserve or compact format. Readable format will add linefeeds and indents to make the file readable in a text editor. Compact format sticks to the Xml specification and adds minimal control characters. Preserve format keeps the markup of the document exactly as it was.
Directly add blobs or streams in the XML file, they will be encoded as Binhex or Base64 (but you don't have to worry about that).
Many native Delphi types can be stored directly to the nodes, making this code very suitable to use while writing storage methods. Store and load boolean, single, double, word, integer, string, TFont, TColor, TPen, TBrush, TDateTime. You don't have to worry about escaping the strings; this is done automatically.
Loads and saves ANSI, UTF-8 as well as Unicode (UTF-16) documents and implements proper conversion warnings. Recognises streams even without byte order marks. NativeXml works internally with UTF8 encoded strings to preserve extended characters, and supports widestrings.
Unique feature: Store, read and create any TPersistent object to/from XML directly (see Example5). This is done by iterating through all of the objects' published properties by use of RTTI (runtime type information). This feature is only available for D5 and up.
New! Now you can use the binary format of NativeXml. This avoids the expensive parsing process to get the textual xml data into the document (DOM). And even better, the binary file size is much smaller, ~50% of file size with uncompressed binary files, and ~15% of the file size in zlib-compressed files. And you can use AES encryption to keep your sensitive files safe from prying eyes.
The interface is the same whether textual xml or binary xml files are used, so you can work with binary files for speed and size purposes, then always send them to the public as normal xml files.

Download

By downloading the package you must agree to the terms stated in the license file. Rightclick and use Save As...

Download

Full installer and uninstaller (916KB). The installer will put all files in the right place so that you can directly compile.

Screenshot

This is a screenshot of the example application. The editor comes with full source, and shows how to use NativeXml to create XML content and how to use the parsed data. You can also directly use the editor to edit your XML files if you like, download it here.

Customers comments

Here are a few samples of what customers have to say about NativeXml:

This is the most functional and easy-to-use API for XML that I have come across for Delphi! Congratulations for all your efforts...
Christian Boxer

Your component is absolutely perfect!
Milan Kunes - Milk Computers S.R.O.

..really good work, nice to use and IMHO super-clean...
Philipp Reif - S&U Software GmbH

Just a quick note to say thank you for NativeXml: it is truly awesome!
Keith Blows - ETA Audiovisual (Pty) Ltd

Your NativeXml has been great for me. A huge time saver. Plus your support and responsiveness has been awesome.
Ms. J. Lyle Martin - Integic Corp. USA

Thanks and congratulations on a good product
Paul Heffernan

Thank you very much for your effort and extremely quick response!
Tor Erik Dahlsrud- Hoglund Marine Automation

Amazing Component, Amazing Support. Using the NativeXml unit and the great support from SimDesign I was able to achieve in minutes what I had taken me hours with other XML components
Phillip Herries

Your unit works great. I've got almost the complete app converted to use it and everything seems to be working great.
Fick van Deventer