Dude, Python XML parsing is a rabbit hole. `lxml` is faster, but if you can’t install it, `ElementTree` with `iterparse` is your best bet.
For validation, I’d say always use a schema if you can. It’s boring, but it’ll save your bacon later.
If you’re dealing with nested messes, XPath is a godsend. `lxml`’s implementation is solid.
Also, `xmltodict` is clutch for quick jobs. Not for everything, but great for one-offs.
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Wow, thanks for all the tips! Definitely gonna give `lxml` another shot—sounds like it’s worth the hassle.
Quick follow-up: Anyone got a favorite XPath cheat sheet? I’m still getting the hang of it, and some of these nested tags are killing me.
Also, `xmltodict` looks like a game-changer for my smaller scripts. Gonna try that tonight.
Appreciate the horror stories too—makes me feel less alone in this XML struggle 😅
For validation, I’d say always use a schema if you can. It’s boring, but it’ll save your bacon later.
If you’re dealing with nested messes, XPath is a godsend. `lxml`’s implementation is solid.
Also, `xmltodict` is clutch for quick jobs. Not for everything, but great for one-offs.
---
Wow, thanks for all the tips! Definitely gonna give `lxml` another shot—sounds like it’s worth the hassle.
Quick follow-up: Anyone got a favorite XPath cheat sheet? I’m still getting the hang of it, and some of these nested tags are killing me.
Also, `xmltodict` looks like a game-changer for my smaller scripts. Gonna try that tonight.
Appreciate the horror stories too—makes me feel less alone in this XML struggle 😅