In the realm of web data extraction, using XPath to select elements by text emerges as a nuanced technique that hinges on either matching the text() value directly or weaving it into a contains() function. This methodology proves indispensable for those endeavoring to meticulously gather and analyze web content. Leveraging a sophisticated API for web scraping can dramatically enhance this process, providing unparalleled precision and efficiency in data collection. This guide delves into the core principles of selecting elements by text in XPath, offering you a comprehensive understanding that will empower you to extract web data with unmatched accuracy and depth.
<html>
<a>ignore</a>
<a>website</a>
<a>WEBSITE</a>
</html>
It’s important to note that the contains() method is case sensitive.
For selections that are not case-sensitive, we can utilize the matches (sometimes referred to as re:test()) function:
<html>
<a>ignore</a>
<a>website</a>
<a>WEBSITE</a>
</html>