ancestor Method

Finds the nearest ancestor matching the pattern. It returns either a single element result or null.

Syntax

ancestor(pattern)

Parameters

pattern

Pattern to be matched.

Remarks

The ancestor method can start a filter, but can't appear to the right of a '/' or '//' in a pattern.

This method always returns a single element result or null. If used in expressions, null evaluates to false.

This method is restricted to operating on single nodes or on collections that can be cast to a single node. (A collection can be cast to a node if at most it can have one element in it. For example, author[1] can be cast to a node, whereas book/author[1] cannot.)

Examples

Find the nearest book ancestor of the current element:

ancestor(book)

Find the nearest ancestor author element that is contained in a book element:

ancestor(book/author)

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