gistfile1.as

// ok i want a root <a> node that has two children: a <b> node and a random text node
// the random text node should be automatically escaped if appropriate:
// <a>
//   <b/>
//   a &lt; b
// </a>

var txt:String = "a < b";
var xml:XML = <a/>;
xml.appendChild(<b/>);
xml.appendChild(txt);
trace(xml.toXMLString());

// this creates an extra <b> element. BUG!
// <a>
//   <b/>
//   <b>a &lt; b</b>
// </a>

// the only workaround i found is this:

var txt:String = "a < b";
var xml:XML = <a/>;
xml.appendChild(<b/>);
xml.appendChild(<dummy>{txt}</dummy>.children()[0]);
trace(xml.toXMLString());

// <a>
//   <b/>
//   a &lt; b
// </a>