rexml - Ruby: How to find XML child element from specific element using xpath? -

given xml

<a>     <b key=1>         <c value=xxx />     </b>     <b key=2>         <c value=yyy />     </b> </a> 

goal: each "b" first, "c" under "b", result below. xpath searching child.

for <b key=1>     <c value=xxx /> <b key=2>     <c value=xxx /> 

but below code

b_elements = xpath.match(xml, "//b[@key]") b_elements.each |b_element|     puts b_element.elements["//c"] end 

will result in yeilding

for <b key=1>     <c value=xxx />     <c value=yyy /> <b key=2>     <c value=xxx />     <c value=yyy /> 

instead of getting "c" under each "b"

i had tried below method no luck, seems if using xpath, automatically search root element

b.get_elements("//c") xpath.first(b, "//c") 

my workaround traverse child element 1 layer @ time , search desired key, seems quite stupid comparing using xpath. please advise, : )

reference: http://ruby-doc.org/stdlib-1.9.3/libdoc/rexml/rdoc/rexml/element.html#method-i-each_element_with_attribute

not sure here, assumption xpath looks @ first char, sees /, , thinks path absolute (because path starting / meant absolute).

probably can force path relative using . before //, parser doesn't confuse // /?

i mean, instead of "//c" use ".//c"? hope helps.