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I develop a lot with XML and use mostly XmlSpy. It's really great and also really expensive. I am looking for a cheaper/free alternative.

Must-haves:

  • XML grid view (viewing the XML structure like a datagrid/tree)
  • generate XML data from XSD files and vise-versa
  • check XML files for validity and being well-formed
  • load very big XML files really fast
  • Of course all common features like text search in files and so on

Nice-to-haves:

  • generate (C#) source code from XSD files

Are there such tools?

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XPontus: Doesn't quite meet 100% but probably as close as you'll get without shelling out currently; and OS so could be extended at some point to fully match. Certainly does match that cheaper - since it is free.

  1. XML grid view: hmm not 100% sure what you mean by that but I there is a tree view which I think is what you're meaning (I have limited experience with XML though I'm learning a lot - Revenue Canada has great resources actually)
  2. generate XML data from XSD files and vise-versa: Can generate schemas (of a few different kinds: DTDS, XML schemas, and Relax NG grammars) from XML documents. See screenie below for the New from Template option options.
  3. check XML files for validity and being well-formed: Has a validity checker.
  4. load very big XML files really fast: I don't have any that I'd call big so can't comment on this (pretty much instant for 1500 line xml files on my HP Intel i7 2gb Ram Laptop)
  5. Of course all common features...: mostly - specifically missing: Search in files.

No Bonus Points: Doesn't generate C (or any other) source code. screenshot

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  • 3
    To my mind anyways not matching 100% is not a good reason to downvote the answer - if it is close and specifies areas that don't match the requirements I'd upvote an answer on my question even if it isn't the answer I choose to accept
    – Nick Dickinson-Wilde
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 19:39
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    The reason for downvote is especially not given when the answer is close and the miss is even pointed out.
    – Izzy
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 19:53
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    Meta related
    – Michel
    Commented Feb 17, 2014 at 19:59
  • If you need a big XML file, download the Stack Overflow data dump.
    – Shog9
    Commented Feb 19, 2014 at 15:12
  • For an explanation of grid view, see softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/51396/… This app does not seem to have it :-(
    – Mawg
    Commented Aug 4, 2018 at 9:07
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Eclipse XML tools do most of this. (See screenshot tab on their homepage)

  • XML grid view (viewing the XML structure like a datagrid/tree)

    • there is a "Design View" and a "Source View". The Design View is not a nested grid, but a pretty tree.

  • generate XML data from XSD files and vice-versa

    • XSD to XML: there is a Wizard for that. select New File... XML File ... From XML Schema File.
    • XML to XSD: not possible (?) but do you really need it that often?

  • check XML files for validity and being well-formed

    • the Validate checker is under the "Context Menu" (right mouse click)

  • load very big XML files really fast

    • limited by your JVM options and your RAM

  • Of course all common features like text search in files and so on

    • the GUI and general features of Eclipse IDE are pretty sophisticated, a lot of refinements went into this
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