loading and parsing XML files to create dynamic combo boxes

thereIsNoSpoon

I have a requirement to have dynamic combo boxes on the DCT where the values are read in from an XML file. When a user selects a value from
combo1, the values in combo2 are updated accordingly. When the user selects a value from Combo2, the values in comb3 are updated accordinly..etc..

From what I have read on the forums here, there are 2 feasible solutions for meeting this requirement.

1) Use Javascript to load the XML upon opening the DCT, parse the data and build arrays to attach to the combo boxes

  var xmlDoc = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLDOM");
  xmlDoc.async="false";
  xmlDoc.load("combodata.xml"); 

2) Use a callserver and use PERL to load and parse the XML. The results would then be returned as an array.

Which solution is more desirable from a TeamSite maintenance and performance perspective? Is there another way of doing this?

Thanks,
GG

Env: Solaris 10 - TS 6.7.1-SP1

nipper

1st, get some training. You seem to have some knowledge on TS, so that is a good thing, but you are lacking on some of the finer points of the product.

1st point, FormAPI (and thus JavaScript) run client side and only client side. Thus option 1 of having JS read an XML file won't work

#2 is a good option, though people often have trouble getting call servers to work correctly. Once it works, you are golden, but it can take some time.

A modified #1 could work however. If the amount of data is not great, you can load the combo1, combo2, combo3 data into separate lists (hidden) in your DCR. FormAPI has access to that data. Then #1 can work. I have done this since you do not need multiple callserver calls, this is faster. Obviously if you have a large amount of data, you do not want to do this.

HTH

Andy