# New way to search by attribute value in REXML on ruby 1.8.6? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [February 5, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/new-way-to-search-by-attribute-value-in-rexml-on-ruby-1-8-6/128161 "2008-02-05T14:10:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ayqazi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f1d935/32.png) [@ayqazi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/ayqazi)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/new-way-to-search-by-attribute-value-in-rexml-on-ruby-1-8-6/128161/1 "2008-02-05T14:10:35Z")
Hi, I’ve been previously using things like: stuff = infdata.elements[“domain:contact[@type=‘admin’]”].text quite heavily. Upgrading to ruby 1.8.6 make this return a blank string. I’m using Gentoo’s ruby ebuild, which I assume would patch any bugs, so I’m guessing there’s a new way to do it. Anybody know how I can search for a sub-element with a particular attribute value as above in ruby 1.8.6’s REXML? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ayqazi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f1d935/32.png) [@ayqazi](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/ayqazi)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/new-way-to-search-by-attribute-value-in-rexml-on-ruby-1-8-6/128161/2 "2008-02-05T17:01:53Z")
2008/2/5, ayqazi [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid): > I’m using Gentoo’s ruby ebuild, which I assume would patch any bugs, > so I’m guessing there’s a new way to do it. > > Anybody know how I can search for a sub-element with a particular > attribute value as above in ruby 1.8.6’s REXML? Maybe you have become a victim of a bug fix: ## 16:59:59 /cygdrive/c/Temp $ ./xp.rb 1.8.6 \ 17:00:03 /cygdrive/c/Temp $ Script attached. Kind regards robert