Just starting but can't get validated 1

[Jakea]

My first XML script is virtually copied from a tutorial but it comes up with validation errors that I can't find the solution to. Here's the basic code:<code>

<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title>A test feed</title>
<description>A sample description.</description>
<link>

http://anywhere.com</link>

<item>
<title>A sample item</title>
<description>An item everyone will want.</description>
<guid>

http://anywhere.com/sample.htm</guid>

<link>

http://anywhere.com/sample.htm</link>

</item>

</channel>
</rss>

</code>
The validator doesn't like the last line (</rss), calling it a parsing error: "XML parsing error: <unknown>:18:0: not well-formed (invalid token)." I've tried all sorts of things - just can't figure it out.

That guid line was added to solve a 2nd problem.

Jake

 

[harebrain]

It's not a validation error, which would require a DTD or schema. The XML is not well-formed: you have no opening tag for your </code> tag. (It complains about what follows the </rss> tag.)

 

[Jakea]

The <code></code> tags aren't part of the XML program that I'm trying to get validated. I added that because I read someplace here that this tag was needed when code was part of the message. The program code in question starts with <?xml version="1.0" ?><rss version="2.0"> and ends with </rss>. Sorry for that confusion.

Jakea

 

[k5tm]

The document, as presented, is well formed. Determining validity requires a DTD or XML Schema. The diagnostic makes no sense in this context; my guess is something else is happening.

The TGML tags are[ignore]

 and

[/ignore]. Note the square brackets. You may click on the "Process TGML" link for helpful information about TGML.

Tom Morrison

http://www.liant.com

 

[Jakea]

The validator I'm using, per the tutorial, is feedvalidator.org. Is there another place to do it? I have no idea what you mean by DTD or XML Schema. I'm totally new to this language. An explanation would be appreciated and/or your advice about what my next step should be toward testing the code and posting it for syndication. Thanks.

Jakea

 

[harebrain]

Ok, you're doing RSS, which is a specific XML application. According to feedvalidator.org's description of what it considers valid, your code should be fine.

They say:

"If the feed exists, the server is fine, and the problem is reproducible, let us know on the feedvalidator-users mailing list."

So, here are your marching orders: ask *them*. (Not because you're unwelcome here, but because there's where you'll find the experts on that subject.)

And come back and tell us what you find out.

 

[Jakea]

I seem to have worked this out, so I'm reporting as per request to do so. I did two things that provided a breakthrough:

1. Structure. I eliminated all blank lines except the ones after <channel> and before </channel>. I don't think this made a difference but haven't proven it one way or the other.

2. What I really think made the difference was my remembering that since I was using a DOS text editor, an EOL symbol was automatically included at the end. I believe this is what caused the final </rss> tag to be singled out as a problem. When I eliminated it, the script validated.

Hope this helps someone down the line.

If anyone would like to see my first RSS, try

http://variagate.com/cinemasignals.xml

Feel free to join the syndication.

Cheers!

Jake

 

[harebrain]

Good for you, Jake, and thanks for reporting back. I think you meant the Ctrl-Z at EOF, but you're probably right that it's the culprit. (Please tell us you aren't still using EDLIN! ) The whitespace between tags is insignificant.

 

[Jakea]

Hb:

Yes to Ctrl-Z. Fortunately, I can report I'm not using EDLIN and never have. But what I do use that's probably equally bad is SLED. I'm so used to it I've never been able to wean myself away. I have WORD but never got acclimated.

 

[harebrain]

I'm sure everyone has his preference, but I've been hooked on Multi-Edit since DOS days. It's now in its tenth Windows version. Get a trial at

http://www.multieditsoftware.com/demo.php

It's so customizable that you could probably make it look like SLED--the CUA keymap is still included.

 

[Jakea]

Thanks, but I have no reason to change and no time to experiment.