#!/usr/bin/python

import sys
import xml.sax

# -------------------------------------------------------------
class MyHandler(xml.sax.ContentHandler):
    def __init__(self):
        xml.sax.ContentHandler.__init__(self)  # super constructor
        self.path = []                         # do some init
        self.pathstr = ''

    def getParentElement(self):
        """Return the immediate parent element name."""
        if len(self.path) == 0:
            return None
        return self.path[-1]

    def descendentOf(self, name):
        """Return True if the current path contains the given name."""    
        try:
            self.path.index(name)
            return True
        except:
            return False

    def getPathStr(self):
        """Return the path as a string."""
        return '/'.join(self.path)

    def startElement(self, name, attrs):
        """Handle the start of an element and do normal processing."""
        sys.stdout.write('<%s> ' % name)
        sys.stdout.write(' path=%s ' % self.getPathStr())
        sys.stdout.write(' parent=%s ' % self.getParentElement())
        sys.stdout.write(' descOf(emplist)=%s\n' % \
            self.descendentOf('emplist'))  # normal processing

        self.path.append(name)  # track the path

    def endElement(self, name):
        """Handle the end of the element."""
        self.path.pop()  # track the path

# MAIN --------------------------------------------------------

someXml = """<company>
    <name>Jorgensen Parts</name>
    <emplist>
        <employee>
            <name>Beej Jorgensen</name>
            <salary>B$3490</salary>
        </employee>
    </emplist>
</company>"""

handler = MyHandler()
xml.sax.parseString(someXml, handler)