pugixml

PugiXML is a small, fast C++ XML processing library designed to make parsing, navigating, and manipulating XML documents straightforward. It provides a DOM-like API that represents the document as a tree of nodes and attributes, enabling in-memory modification and serialization. In addition to basic DOM operations, pugixml includes an XPath engine for querying nodes, making it convenient for read and select patterns in XML data.

The library emphasizes a lightweight footprint and practical performance. It is designed to be portable across platforms and compilers, suitable for use in applications ranging from small utilities to larger software systems. PugiXML supports loading XML from strings, files, or memory buffers, and it offers facilities for in-place parsing and efficient in-memory storage of document data. The API is intentionally compact and well-documented, with a focus on ease of use and predictable behavior.

Implementation and distribution aspects include a combination of header and source files. It is not strictly header-only, as the implementation is typically provided in a separate source file, but the library remains relatively small and self-contained with minimal dependencies. The design favors direct access to nodes and attributes and aims to minimize copies during parsing and traversal. UTF-8 is commonly used for string handling, and the library supports typical XML features needed for common parsing and modification tasks.

Licensing and usage considerations indicate that pugixml is released under a permissive open-source license, making it suitable for inclusion in many projects without imposing heavy constraints. PugiXML is widely used in cross-platform C++ projects and remains a practical option for developers seeking a balance of simplicity, speed, and functionality in XML processing.