Better way to detect XML?

Question

Currently, I have the following c# code to extract a value out of text. If its XML, I want the value within it - otherwise, if its not XML, it can just return the text itself.

String data = "..."
try
{
    return XElement.Parse(data).Value;
}
catch (System.Xml.XmlException)
{
    return data;
}

I know exceptions are expensive in C#, so I was wondering if there was a better way to determine if the text I'm dealing with is xml or not?

I thought of regex testing, but I dont' see that as a cheaper alternative. Note, I'm asking for a less expensive method of doing this.

Answer 1

Why is regex expensive? Doesn't it kill 2 birds with 1 stone (match and parse)?

Simple example parsing all elements, even easier if it's just one element!

Regex regex = new Regex(@"<(?<tag>\w*)>(?<text>.*)</\k<tag>>");
MatchCollection matches = regex.Matches(data);
foreach (Match match in matches)
{
    GroupCollection groups = match.Groups;
    string name = groups["tag"].Value;
    string value = groups["text"].Value;
    ...
}