Conversion of string into XML object

Question

Hi
I am having some problems with conversion of string (containing XML data) into Flex XML object and binding it later to UI elements to output/maintain this data.
Binding of XML structure to UI elements works perfectly fine if I will do following:
1)      Hardcode XML object within Flex file
2)      Read xml file from repository (xml file inside the Flex project)
3)      Use HTTP request to retrieve XML data
Unfortunately none of the above scenarios suits my solution.
I am developing a prototype application for processing Flex forms inside SAP system. I have decided to make data bindings using XML structure stored in Data Base. When rendering form inside web browser based application I am retrieving corresponding XML schema (empty for new forms and populated for saved forms) and pass it to Flex form as a string type import parameter. Data is being passed correctly (I can display it on TextArea control for instance) but after conversion to XML and binding to DataGrid I am not getting any results.
I am converting string (containing XML) to XML object in following way:
Private var xml_obj:XML = new XML(string_xml );
I am catching any potential errors but conversion is going well. After conversion I am not getting any results after binding it to DataGrid control and I am not able to access any of the nodes using AS code either. At the same time variable xml_obj is not empty (not null).
Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards
Michael

Answer 1

David
First of all sorry for not stating it clearly but I am using Flex 3 for this development (at the moment it is the only choice when embedding Flex objects inside SAP applications).
You must have missed the bit where I am describing how this XML data finds its way inside Flex. I am passing it to Flex as String type parameter during rendering (directly from DB where it is stored).
Now, following code works perfect (XML is embedded inside Flex project):
                <mx:XML id="form_data" source="../assets/example_xml_data.xml"/>
                <mx:Script>
                                <![CDATA[
                                                import mx.collections.XMLListCollection;
                                                import mx.controls.Alert;
                                                [Bindable]
                                                public var XML_list:XMLListCollection;
                                                private function setParameters():void
                                                               XML_list = new XMLListCollection(form_data.*);             
                                ]]>
                </mx:Script>
                <mx:DataGrid id="myDataGrid" dataProvider="{XML_list}">
                                <mx:columns>
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="COMMON" headerText="Popular name"/>
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="BOTANICAL" headerText="Botanical name"/>
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="ZONE" headerText="Zone"/>
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="LIGHT" headerText="Light"/>                                                                                                                                               
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="PRICE" headerText="Price"/>                                               
                                                <mx:DataGridColumn dataField="AVAILABILITY" headerText="Availability"/>                                    
                                </mx:columns>               
                </mx:DataGrid>
But following code does not work (XML passed to Flex form as String input parameter):
import sap.FlashIsland;
import mx.controls.Alert;
import mx.collections.XMLListCollection;
[Bindable]
public var xml_data:String;
private var form_data:XML;
[Bindable]
private var XML_list:XMLListCollection;
private function initApp():void
                FlashIsland.register(this);
private function setParameters():void
                try
                                form_data=new XML(xml_data);
                catch (error:Error)
                                Alert.show(error.toString());
                  XML_list = new XMLListCollection(form_data.*);           
XML string does find its way inside Flex form. I can display content of variable xml_data in TextArea and all looks fine. Conversion to XML (variable form_data) goes well (no error)
Please helpJ
Regards
Michael