XML to javascript array with jQuery -

i new xml , ajax , newcomer javascript , jquery. among other job duties design our website. deadline near, , way can think of project ajax. have document full of xml objects such 1 repeating:

<item>     <subject></subject>     <date></date>     <thumb></thumb> </item> 

i want create array of elements , child elements. i've been reading jquery tutorials on ajax hours , don't know start because assume level of javascript proficiency. if show me easiest way loop through elements , put children array, i'd appreciate tons.

using jquery, $.ajax() xml file, , on success pass retrieved data each, like:

 var tmpsubject, tmpdate, tmpthumb;  $.ajax({             url: '/your_file.xml',             type: 'get',              datatype: 'xml',             success: function(returnedxmlresponse){                 $('item', returnedxmlresponse).each(function(){                      tmpsubject = $('subject', this).text();                      tmpdate = $('date', this).text();                      tmpthumb = $('thumb', this).text();                     //here can want temporary                     //variables, e.g. put them in place in html document                     //or store them in associative array                 })             }           });