Reading XML and JSON in PHP

Question

I am attempting to use PHP (which I am pretty new to) to read some data from an API. I am not very familiar with JSON, and have no XML experience. So a good start, then.

The resource in question is:

http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/ticker/data/gamesMSNBC.js.asp?jsonp=true&sport=MLB&period=20130413

Looking at the source of this page, it seems like it is fairly structured. I attempted to use both file_get_contents and simplexml_load_file on this url to see what would happen. In the first case, I receive only the text that is displayed in the browser (kind of looks like an empty array to my untrained eyes). The second case simply fails ('start tag expected').

What kind of format is this data in, and how should I be trying to access it? How can I pull down the data and, for example, pull out values for certain tags?

Update

I forgot to mention that I also tried to echo json_decode on the url to no avail. Nothing at all was echoed.

Answer 1

Your link consists of this:

http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/ticker/data/gamesMSNBC.js.asp?jsonp=true&sport=MLB&period=20130413

shsMSNBCTicker.loadGamesData({
"sport": "MLB", 
"period": "20130413", 
"games": [
"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413105\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Chi White Sox\" alias=\"CWS\" nickname=\"White Sox\" id=\"4\" division=\"ALC\" league=\"AL\" score=\"4\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"4\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"6\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Cleveland\" alias=\"Cle\" nickname=\"Indians\" id=\"5\" division=\"ALC\" league=\"AL\" score=\"9\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"6\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"9\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"9\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"In-Progress\" display_status1=\"Top\" display_status2=\"8th\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/boxscore.asp?gamecode=330413105\" tv=\"CSN/STOh\" gametime=\"4:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413110\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Baltimore\" alias=\"Bal\" nickname=\"Orioles\" id=\"1\" division=\"ALE\" league=\"AL\" score=\"5\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"5\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"10\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"NY Yankees\" alias=\"NYY\" nickname=\"Yankees\" id=\"10\" division=\"ALE\" league=\"AL\" score=\"3\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"3\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"8\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"In-Progress\" display_status1=\"Bot\" display_status2=\"7th\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/boxscore.asp?gamecode=330413110\" tv=\"MASN/YES\" gametime=\"4:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413111\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Detroit\" alias=\"Det\" nickname=\"Tigers\" id=\"6\" division=\"ALC\" league=\"AL\" score=\"7\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"4\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"7\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"9\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Oakland\" alias=\"Oak\" nickname=\"Athletics\" id=\"11\" division=\"ALW\" league=\"AL\" score=\"1\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"3\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"In-Progress\" display_status1=\"Bot\" display_status2=\"7th\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/boxscore.asp?gamecode=330413111\" tv=\"FSDT/CSCA\" gametime=\"4:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413109\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"IL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"NY Mets\" alias=\"NYM\" nickname=\"Mets\" id=\"21\" division=\"NLE\" league=\"NL\" score=\"4\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"4\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"4\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"9\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Minnesota\" alias=\"Min\" nickname=\"Twins\" id=\"9\" division=\"ALC\" league=\"AL\" score=\"1\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"In-Progress\" display_status1=\"Bot\" display_status2=\"8th\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/boxscore.asp?gamecode=330413109\" tv=\"SNY/FSN\" gametime=\"4:10 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413124\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Milwaukee\" alias=\"Mil\" nickname=\"Brewers\" id=\"8\" division=\"NLC\" league=\"NL\" score=\"0\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"3\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"St. Louis\" alias=\"StL\" nickname=\"Cardinals\" id=\"24\" division=\"NLC\" league=\"NL\" score=\"8\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"7\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"8\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"10\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"In-Progress\" display_status1=\"Top\" display_status2=\"7th\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/boxscore.asp?gamecode=330413124\" tv=\"FSWI/FSMW\" gametime=\"4:15 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413123\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Cincinnati\" alias=\"Cin\" nickname=\"Reds\" id=\"17\" division=\"NLC\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Pittsburgh\" alias=\"Pit\" nickname=\"Pirates\" id=\"23\" division=\"NLC\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"7:05 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413123\" tv=\"FSOH/ROOT\" gametime=\"7:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413107\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Toronto\" alias=\"Tor\" nickname=\"Blue Jays\" id=\"14\" division=\"ALE\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Kansas City\" alias=\"KC\" nickname=\"Royals\" id=\"7\" division=\"ALC\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"7:10 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413107\" tv=\"RSN/FSKC\" gametime=\"7:10 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413128\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Philadelphia\" alias=\"Phi\" nickname=\"Phillies\" id=\"22\" division=\"NLE\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Miami\" alias=\"Mia\" nickname=\"Marlins\" id=\"28\" division=\"NLE\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"7:10 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413128\" tv=\"CSN/FSFL\" gametime=\"7:10 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413129\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"LA Dodgers\" alias=\"LAD\" nickname=\"Dodgers\" id=\"19\" division=\"NLW\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Arizona\" alias=\"Ari\" nickname=\"Diamondbacks\" id=\"29\" division=\"NLW\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"8:10 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413129\" tv=\"KCAL/FSAZ\" gametime=\"8:10 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413125\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Colorado\" alias=\"Col\" nickname=\"Rockies\" id=\"27\" division=\"NLW\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"San Diego\" alias=\"SD\" nickname=\"Padres\" id=\"25\" division=\"NLW\" league=\"NL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"8:40 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413125\" tv=\"ROOT/FSSD\" gametime=\"8:40 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413103\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Houston\" alias=\"Hou\" nickname=\"Astros\" id=\"18\" division=\"ALW\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"LA Angels\" alias=\"LAA\" nickname=\"Angels\" id=\"3\" division=\"ALW\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"9:05 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413103\" tv=\"CSN/FSW\" gametime=\"9:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413112\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Texas\" alias=\"Tex\" nickname=\"Rangers\" id=\"13\" division=\"ALW\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Seattle\" alias=\"Sea\" nickname=\"Mariners\" id=\"12\" division=\"ALW\" league=\"AL\" score=\"\"><score heading=\"R\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Pre-Game\" display_status1=\"9:10 PM\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=330413112\" tv=\"FSSW/ROOT\" gametime=\"9:10 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413102\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"AL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Tampa Bay\" alias=\"TB\" nickname=\"Rays\" id=\"30\" division=\"ALE\" league=\"AL\" score=\"1\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"10\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"6\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Boston\" alias=\"Bos\" nickname=\"Red Sox\" id=\"2\" division=\"ALE\" league=\"AL\" score=\"2\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"10\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"7\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Final\" display_status1=\"Final\" display_status2=\"10\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=330413102\" tv=\"FOX\" gametime=\"1:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413116\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"San Francisco\" alias=\"SF\" nickname=\"Giants\" id=\"26\" division=\"NLW\" league=\"NL\" score=\"3\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"3\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"9\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Chi Cubs\" alias=\"ChC\" nickname=\"Cubs\" id=\"16\" division=\"NLC\" league=\"NL\" score=\"2\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"7\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"0\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Final\" display_status1=\"Final\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=330413116\" tv=\"FOX\" gametime=\"1:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
,"<ticker-entry gamecode=\"330413120\" gametype=\"Regular Season\" league=\"NL\"><visiting-team display_name=\"Atlanta\" alias=\"Atl\" nickname=\"Braves\" id=\"15\" division=\"NLE\" league=\"NL\" score=\"3\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"2\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"3\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"8\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></visiting-team><home-team display_name=\"Washington\" alias=\"Was\" nickname=\"Nationals\" id=\"20\" division=\"NLE\" league=\"NL\" score=\"1\"><score heading=\"1\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"2\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"3\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"4\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"5\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"6\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"7\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"8\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"9\" value=\"0\"></score><score heading=\"R\" value=\"1\"></score><score heading=\"H\" value=\"4\"></score><score heading=\"E\" value=\"1\"></score></home-team><gamestate status=\"Final\" display_status1=\"Final\" display_status2=\"\" href=\"http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=330413120\" tv=\"FOX\" gametime=\"1:05 PM\" gamedate=\"4/13\" is-dst=\"1\" is-world-dst=\"1\" reason=\"\"></gamestate></ticker-entry>"
]}
);

It's a JSON record that contains a bunch of XML. You can parse both the JSON "envelope", as well as the array of XML "data records", with PHP. The links I gave above should point you in the right direction.