.net - Linq to XML...I never get any Descendent values with XML as-is -

here part of xml trying parse:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <workflow xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">     <alerts>         <fullname>broker_not_in_sf_current_broker_account</fullname>         <description>broker not in sf - current broker account</description>         <protected>false</protected>         <recipients>             <recipient>geddylee@yyz.com</recipient>             <type>user</type>         </recipients>         <sendertype>currentuser</sendertype>         <template>broker_emails/current_broker_on_acct_not_in_sf</template>     </alerts>     <rules>         <fullname>no service contact assigned</fullname>         <active>true</active>         <criteriaitems>             <field>account.type</field>             <operation>equals</operation>             <value>client</value>         </criteriaitems>         <criteriaitems>             <field>account.service_contact__c</field>             <operation>equals</operation>         </criteriaitems>         <description>notification when service contact has not been assigned after 5 days, 8 days.</description>         <triggertype>oncreateortriggeringupdate</triggertype>     </rules> </workflow> 

i can use simple linq xml on random simple xml file, in instance nothing. assume because of xml namespace, there way around other removing in xml rile prior parsing?

i haven't done xml work in past, i'm trying understand best way can take file shown , pull out rule nodes create collection or rules properties. can object/collection part, i'm stuck on why namespace failing simple call:

var setting = xmldoc.descendants("rules").first(e => e.element("fullname").value == "no service contact assigned"); console.writeline(setting.element("active").value);  

thanks on or how use namespace.

you need xnamespace this:

xnamespace ns = "http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata"; var setting = xmldoc.root.descendants(ns+"rules").first(e => e.element(ns+"fullname").value == "no service contact assigned"); console.writeline(setting.element(ns+"active").value);  

note document not root node (e.g. workflow element), root property on document is. added that.