# Source code to XML

**URL:** <https://rubytalk.org/t/source-code-to-xml/47845>\
**Category:** ruby-talk\
**Created:** [22 July 2008 10:17 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/source-code-to-xml/47845 "2008-07-22T10:17:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tommy\_Nordgren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@Tommy\_Nordgren](https://rubytalk.org/u/Tommy_Nordgren)\
**Post date:** [22 July 2008 10:17 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/source-code-to-xml/47845/1 "2008-07-22T10:17:25Z")

</div>

I need to generate DocBook ProgramListing xincludes from a source code file.  
How can I escape characters that is not valid in text : \< \> " &

> **···**
>
> -------------------------------------  
> This sig is dedicated to the advancement of Nuclear Power  
> Tommy Nordgren  
> [tommy.nordgren@comhem.se](mailto:tommy.nordgren@comhem.se)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tachikoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Tachikoma](https://rubytalk.org/u/Tachikoma)\
**Post date:** [22 July 2008 12:09 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/source-code-to-xml/47845/2 "2008-07-22T12:09:30Z")

</div>

require 'rexml/text'  
REXML::Text.normalize("Some & text \< foo \> \" bar")  
==\> "Some &amp; text &lt; foo &gt; &quot; bar"

i think this may help you

> **···**
>
> On Jul 22, 6:17 pm, Tommy Nordgren \<tommy.nordg...@comhem.se\> wrote:
> 
> > I need to generate DocBook ProgramListing xincludes from a source code  
> > file.  
> > How can I escape characters that is not valid in text : \< \> " &
> > 
> > -------------------------------------  
> > This sig is dedicated to the advancement of Nuclear Power  
> > Tommy Nordgren  
> > tommy.nordg...@comhem.se

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tachikoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Tachikoma](https://rubytalk.org/u/Tachikoma)\
**Post date:** [22 July 2008 12:14 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/source-code-to-xml/47845/3 "2008-07-22T12:14:28Z")

</div>

irb(main):020:0\> require 'rexml/text'  
=\> true  
irb(main):021:0\> REXML::Text.normalize("Some & text \< foo \> \" bar")  
=\> "Some &amp; text &lt; foo &gt; &quot; bar"

this may help

> **···**
>
> On Jul 22, 6:17 pm, Tommy Nordgren \<tommy.nordg...@comhem.se\> wrote:
> 
> > I need to generate DocBook ProgramListing xincludes from a source code  
> > file.  
> > How can I escape characters that is not valid in text : \< \> " &
> > 
> > -------------------------------------  
> > This sig is dedicated to the advancement of Nuclear Power  
> > Tommy Nordgren  
> > tommy.nordg...@comhem.se