topic Re: XML and JSON Data Types in Dashboards & Visualizations

XML and JSON Data Types

shangshin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:39:48 GMT

Hi, I would like to use Splunk to parse xml and json data files and trigger the alert if the element "checked" is false. I would appreciate if you can provide an example on how to set up the field extractors for these 2 data type. Thank You!

[{
"text": "Products",
"cls": "folder",
"expanded": true,
"children": [{
"text": "iPad",
"leaf": true,
"checked": true

},{
    "text": "iPhone",
    "leaf": true,
    "checked": false       
},{
    "text": "iPod",
    "leaf": true,
    "checked": true      
}
]

}]

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

sdaniels — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:41:14 GMT

Examples here using the spath command.

http://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/4.3.2/SearchReference/Spath

When you add an output it creates that field so you have the extracted value.

| spath output=myloc path=vendorproductset.product.desc.locdesc{4}{@locale}

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

shangshin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:26:59 GMT

I am following the example to add the sample xml "vendorProductSet" as the new search data.
However, when I entered the string string
sourcetype="sample_xml" | spath path=vendorProductSet.product.desc.locDesc{4}{@locale}
I didn't not see it extracts the attribute of the 4th locDesc (ca)
Instead, I got the whole xml returned from search result.

Am I missing anything?

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

sdaniels — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:54:49 GMT

Hey shangshin...sorry for the delay. I didn't realize you were working on the test xml data. If you add an output, it will add your result as a new field. You'll see the field added in the bottom left under field discovery. That's the value you can now use. The whole event comes back since you matched it in your search. Now you can | to a new command with the ability to use your extracted value.

| spath output=myloc path=vendorproductset.product.desc.locdesc{4}{@locale}

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

shangshin — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:06:07 GMT

Hi, thanks for the reply.
I entered the search string below but didn't find the result as a new field "myloc". I also clicked on the link "View all 14 fields" but still no luck.
sourcetype="sample_xml" | spath output=myloc path=vendorproductset.product.desc.locdesc{1}{@locale}

Can you upload a screenshot if possible?

Basically, we would like to use splunk to monitor a dynamic xml file and trigger the alert if the element value matches.

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

sdaniels — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:06:00 GMT

I don't have a web server to put up a screenshot, and you can't just paste them in here as far as i can tell. Email me and I can send it to you.

Re: XML and JSON Data Types

shangshin — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:29:40 GMT

Thanks a lot for the great support!