using PHP to remove elements from XML file.

[JustSuds]

I have this xml file, and the php code that builds it using an entry form. however, i urgently need help with some php to delete any specified "book".

this file is "loaned.xml" - I want to be able to enter "Book 1" or "Book 2" into a form and update the xml file by deleting the corresponding entry.

<catalogue>
   <resource>
      <book>
         <ID>Book 1</ID>
         <date>today</date>
         <retdate>tomorrow</retdate>
         <SID>Student 1</SID>
      </book>
      <book>
         <ID>Book 2</ID>
         <date>today</date>
         <retdate>tomorrow</retdate>
         <SID>Student 4</SID>
      </book>
   </resource>
</catalogue>

Please help! I've tried and failed with so many internet solutions so far.

[techietim]

Make sure you have PHP 5+

function delete_book_id($id, $filename = 'loaned.xml'){
  $data = simplexml_load_file($filename);
  for($i = 0, $length = count($data->resource->book); $i < $length; $i++){
    if($data->resource->book[$i]->ID == $id){
      unset($data->resource->book[$i]);
      break;
    }
  }
  file_put_contents($filename, $data->saveXML());
}
//SAMPLE USAGE
delete_book_id('Book 1');