NAME

XML::Elemental::Element - a generic element (tag) object.

DESCRIPTION

XML::Elemental::Element is a subclass of XML::Elemental::Node that is used by the Elemental parser to represent a tag.

METHODS

XML::Elemental::Element->new

Parameterless constructor. Returns an instance of the object.

$element->name([$name])

Returns the tag name as a string in Clarkian notation -- {namespace}tag. See process_name in MT::Elemental::Util for a routine that can split this namespace-qualified name into its individual parts. If you are setting the element name it must be in this same notation.

$element->parent([$object])

Returns a reference to the parent object. If a parameter is passed the parent is set.

$element->contents([\@children])

Returns an ordered array reference of direct sibling objects. Returns a reference to an empty array if the element does not have any siblings. If a parameter is passed all the direct siblings are (re)set.

$element->attributes([\%attributes])

Returns a hash reference of key-value pairs representing the tag's attributes. It returns a reference to an empty hash if the element does not have any attributes. If a parameter is passed all attributes are (re)set. Like the element name, keys must be in Clarkian notation.

$element->text_content

A method that returns the character data of all siblings.

$element->root

A method that returns a reference to the Elemental Document object.

AUTHOR & COPYRIGHT

Please see the XML::Elemental manpage for author, copyright, and license information.