xmlbuilder vs fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs @xmldom/xmldom vs libxmljs
XML Parsing and Building Libraries Comparison
1 Year
xmlbuilderfast-xml-parserxml2js@xmldom/xmldomlibxmljsSimilar Packages:
What's XML Parsing and Building Libraries?

These libraries are designed to facilitate XML parsing, manipulation, and generation in JavaScript applications. They provide developers with tools to read XML documents, convert them to JavaScript objects, and create XML structures programmatically. Each library has its own strengths, weaknesses, and use cases, catering to different needs in web development, such as performance, ease of use, and feature set.

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xmlbuilder30,361,824920-85 years agoMIT
fast-xml-parser30,249,9962,726537 kB595 days agoMIT
xml2js22,352,4314,9313.44 MB2462 years agoMIT
@xmldom/xmldom10,221,090391368 kB27a month agoMIT
libxmljs64,4461,05117.7 MB71a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: xmlbuilder vs fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs @xmldom/xmldom vs libxmljs

Parsing Speed

  • xmlbuilder:

    xmlbuilder does not parse XML but instead focuses on building XML documents, so speed is not a primary concern in this context.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    fast-xml-parser is optimized for performance, boasting a very fast parsing speed, making it ideal for applications that need to process large XML files quickly.

  • xml2js:

    xml2js is relatively slower compared to fast-xml-parser but is still efficient for most use cases, especially when the focus is on ease of use rather than raw speed.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    @xmldom/xmldom provides a balance between speed and DOM compliance, making it suitable for applications that require efficient parsing without sacrificing the ability to manipulate the XML structure.

  • libxmljs:

    libxmljs offers competitive parsing speeds but is more focused on providing advanced features like XPath and validation, which may add some overhead compared to simpler parsers.

API Design

  • xmlbuilder:

    xmlbuilder has a fluent API that allows for easy and intuitive XML document creation, making it ideal for developers who need to generate XML dynamically.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    fast-xml-parser features a simple and straightforward API that allows for quick parsing and conversion of XML to JavaScript objects, making it easy to use for developers of all skill levels.

  • xml2js:

    xml2js offers a very user-friendly API that simplifies XML parsing and generation, making it accessible for beginners and those who prefer a minimalistic approach.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    @xmldom/xmldom follows a DOM-like API, which is familiar to developers who have worked with browser-based JavaScript. This makes it easier to manipulate XML documents using standard DOM methods.

  • libxmljs:

    libxmljs provides a rich API that supports advanced XML features, including XPath queries and schema validation, but may have a steeper learning curve due to its complexity.

Feature Set

  • xmlbuilder:

    xmlbuilder specializes in creating XML documents and provides a robust set of features for building XML structures, but does not handle parsing.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    fast-xml-parser is lightweight and focuses primarily on parsing, lacking some advanced features like XPath support, making it less suitable for complex XML processing.

  • xml2js:

    xml2js provides basic XML parsing and building features, focusing on simplicity rather than a wide range of advanced functionalities.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    @xmldom/xmldom supports a wide range of XML features, including namespaces and attributes, making it a versatile choice for various XML manipulation tasks.

  • libxmljs:

    libxmljs is feature-rich, supporting XPath, XSLT, and XML schema validation, making it the go-to choice for applications that require comprehensive XML capabilities.

Learning Curve

  • xmlbuilder:

    xmlbuilder is also easy to learn, especially for those who need to generate XML documents, thanks to its fluent API design.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    fast-xml-parser is straightforward and easy to learn, making it suitable for developers who need quick XML parsing without a steep learning curve.

  • xml2js:

    xml2js is very easy to learn and use, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those who want to quickly integrate XML handling into their projects.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    @xmldom/xmldom has a moderate learning curve, especially for those familiar with DOM manipulation in web development, making it relatively easy to pick up.

  • libxmljs:

    libxmljs has a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features and API complexity, which may require more time to master.

Use Cases

  • xmlbuilder:

    xmlbuilder is used in scenarios where XML documents need to be generated dynamically, such as creating configuration files or generating XML responses for web services.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    fast-xml-parser is perfect for scenarios where performance is critical, such as parsing large XML data streams or files in real-time applications.

  • xml2js:

    xml2js is great for applications that need to convert XML to JavaScript objects for easier manipulation, such as REST APIs that consume XML data.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    @xmldom/xmldom is ideal for applications that need to manipulate XML in a way similar to how HTML is handled in the browser, making it suitable for web applications that interact with XML data.

  • libxmljs:

    libxmljs is best for applications that require complex XML processing, such as data transformation and validation, making it suitable for backend services that handle XML data.

How to Choose: xmlbuilder vs fast-xml-parser vs xml2js vs @xmldom/xmldom vs libxmljs
  • xmlbuilder:

    Choose xmlbuilder when you need to create XML documents programmatically. It offers a fluent API for building XML structures, making it ideal for applications that generate XML output dynamically.

  • fast-xml-parser:

    Select fast-xml-parser for its speed and lightweight nature, especially if performance is a critical factor. It's suitable for applications that need quick parsing without the overhead of a full DOM implementation.

  • xml2js:

    Use xml2js for its simplicity and ease of use, particularly for converting XML to JavaScript objects and vice versa. It's a great choice for projects that need straightforward XML handling without deep XML manipulation requirements.

  • @xmldom/xmldom:

    Choose @xmldom/xmldom if you need a DOM-compliant XML parser that can handle large XML files and provides a familiar DOM API for manipulation. It's ideal for projects that require compatibility with browser-based DOM methods.

  • libxmljs:

    Opt for libxmljs if you require advanced XML features, such as XPath support and validation against XML schemas. This library is best for complex XML processing tasks where performance and compliance with XML standards are essential.

README for xmlbuilder

xmlbuilder-js

An XML builder for node.js similar to java-xmlbuilder.

License NPM Version NPM Downloads

Travis Build Status AppVeyor Build status Dev Dependency Status Code Coverage

Announcing xmlbuilder2:

The new release of xmlbuilder is available at xmlbuilder2! xmlbuilder2 has been redesigned from the ground up to be fully conforming to the modern DOM specification. It supports XML namespaces, provides built-in converters for multiple formats, collection functions, and more. Please see upgrading from xmlbuilder in the wiki.

New development will be focused towards xmlbuilder2; xmlbuilder will only receive critical bug fixes.

Installation:

npm install xmlbuilder

Usage:

var builder = require('xmlbuilder');

var xml = builder.create('root')
  .ele('xmlbuilder')
    .ele('repo', {'type': 'git'}, 'git://github.com/oozcitak/xmlbuilder-js.git')
  .end({ pretty: true});

console.log(xml);

will result in:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <xmlbuilder>
    <repo type="git">git://github.com/oozcitak/xmlbuilder-js.git</repo>
  </xmlbuilder>
</root>

It is also possible to convert objects into nodes:

var builder = require('xmlbuilder');

var obj = {
  root: {
    xmlbuilder: {
      repo: {
        '@type': 'git', // attributes start with @
        '#text': 'git://github.com/oozcitak/xmlbuilder-js.git' // text node
      }
    }
  }
};

var xml = builder.create(obj).end({ pretty: true});
console.log(xml);

If you need to do some processing:

var builder = require('xmlbuilder');

var root = builder.create('squares');
root.com('f(x) = x^2');
for(var i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
{
  var item = root.ele('data');
  item.att('x', i);
  item.att('y', i * i);
}

var xml = root.end({ pretty: true});
console.log(xml);

This will result in:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<squares>
  <!-- f(x) = x^2 -->
  <data x="1" y="1"/>
  <data x="2" y="4"/>
  <data x="3" y="9"/>
  <data x="4" y="16"/>
  <data x="5" y="25"/>
</squares>

See the wiki for details and examples for more complex examples.