<?php
$dom 
= new domDocument();
$dom->load(dirname(__FILE__) . "/thedata.xml");

$root $dom->documentElement// <forum>
foreach ($root->childNodes as $child) {
    if (
$child->nodeType == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) { // <item>
        
$id $child->getAttribute("id"); // <item id="value">
        
echo "item #{$id}<br />";
        foreach (
$child->childNodes as $c2) { // item nodes
            
if ($c2->nodeType == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) { // <title>, <link>
                
echo "{$c2->nodeName} => {$c2->nodeValue}<br />";
            }
        }
    }
}
?>
Output
item #10084
title => Binary Protocols vs XML
link => http://fud.prohost.org/forum/index.php/m/10084
description => Why does everyone insist on using XML?
item #10149
title => How do I post messages?
link => http://fud.prohost.org/forum/index.php/m/10149
description => I can post messages, help!