Text to XML Conversion via Enhanced Regular Expression Schema
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transforming plain text into markup language documents, such as XML, are often complex and require complicated data structures or specialized languages, making them inefficient for converting flat text files into compliant code.
Innovation Solution
A method using a schema file with a single enhanced regular expression that embeds printer tokens and grouping operators to match and concatenate text sections, generating output compliant with markup languages, such as XML, by applying the regular expression to the text and utilizing a transformation engine to produce an output stream that adheres to markup language syntax.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a text transformer program with wizard and template rules is used to transform text into XML, then the transformation can be accomplished, but the process becomes complex and requires complicated data structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential transformation logic from complex wizard-based systems and condenses it into a single regular expression pattern. Instead of using multiple template rules and data structures, the invention isolates the core matching and transformation logic into one compact regular expression that directly maps input text to output XML structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple transformation functions (pattern matching, structure definition, and XML generation) into a single regular expression. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate wizard interfaces, template rule systems, and data structure definitions, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining transformation capability.
2Reliability
If specialized languages and complicated data structures are used for text transformation, then markup language compliance can be achieved, but the conversion process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transformation systems (wizards, template engines, data structure processors) with a more efficient regular expression-based approach. The regular expression engine directly processes the input text and generates compliant XML output without requiring intermediate data structures or multiple processing passes, significantly improving conversion efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flat text files are converted using existing methods, then transformation is possible, but the process requires multiple steps and specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal transformation approach using regular expressions that can handle various file formats and markup languages through a single mechanism. The same regular expression framework can be adapted to transform different input formats into XML, HTML, or other markup languages without requiring separate transformation pipelines for each format.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for converting text to XML code. A schema is applied to the text. The schema is a XML-compliant template that incorporates a single enhanced regular expression. One enhancement causes the matched text to be concatenated and displayed. The concatenated matched text is merged with the template to generate a markup language-compliant output. The enhanced regular expression can include a grouping operator that is nestable within another regular expression operator, for example the “*” operator that matches zero or more instances of its operand. Special purpose tags may be defined in the schema to represent regular expression operators.