Do-It-Yourself Free XML Tool Suite

If you ever had to work with XML documents and XML schemas, it can be pretty challenging if you don’t have the right tools. If you are creating/modifying XML through code (e.g. XML Web Services), it can especially be difficult searching XML nodes or trying to create a validated XML document.

Personally, I believe that XMLSpy from Altova Software is one of the best tools available if you are going to be dealing with a lot of XML documents. However, this tool does come at a price. A few years ago, they used to offer a free community edition of their software – this has since been discontinued.

I’ve recently needed to create and modify some XML and was searching for some tools that fit the criteria:

• Windows Based
• Non-Trial Editions of Software
• Free

I have come up with a list of three tools that perform a majority of the tasks in commercial products like XMLSpy and are a good alternative.

1. XML Notepad

XML notepad makes it easy to edit XML nodes without the need to edit the XML syntax directly. By attaching an XML Schema, your XML document is checked for validation as you input values.

Although this tool has not seen an update since 2007, it is still one of the better free XML editors with a simple, yet powerful interface.

2. XPath Visualizer

If you’ve ever had the need to query XML to find specific nodes, XPath Visualizer provides a way to test XPath queries against an XML document. With the ability to include XML namespaces, the XPath expressions can easily be imported into code environments like Visual Studio.

3. XML Sample Generator

You have an XML Schema, but now you need to create an XML document based off this schema. If you don’t have a tool that helps you visualize a schema graphically, it can be a daunting task to traverse an XML Schema and create an XML document manually. Thanks to the XML Sample Generator, you can import your XML Schema and export a well-formed, validated, XML document.

XML Sample Generator provides a good starting point if you need to start from square one.

Do you have a free tool that you use? Please share in the comments.