Character set problems are one of the most common pitfalls when using the xml_parse function to process XML data in PHP. Especially in the scenario where data is exchanged across systems and languages, the encoding method of XML files may be inconsistent with the actual content, or is incompatible with the PHP environment, resulting in parsing failure. This article will explain in-depth the causes, common symptoms of character set problems, and corresponding solutions and repair methods.

The xml_parse function is a common tool when parsing XML data in PHP. It is used to parse blocks of data associated with XML parser created by xml_parser_create. However, many developers ignore checking the return value when using the xml_parse function, which often causes the program to perform abnormally when parsing fails, and even makes hidden bugs difficult to locate.