def get(self, name, ns=None, default=None):
        """
        Get the value of an attribute by name.

        @param name: The name of the attribute.
        @type name: basestring
        @param ns: The optional attribute's namespace.
        @type ns: (I{prefix}, I{name})
        @param default: An optional value to be returned when either the
            attribute does not exist or has no value.
        @type default: basestring
        @return: The attribute's value or I{default}.
        @rtype: basestring
        @see: __getitem__()

        """
        attr = self.getAttribute(name, ns)
        if attr is None or attr.value is None:
            return default
        return attr.getValue()
Get the value of an attribute by name.

        @param name: The name of the attribute.
        @type name: basestring
        @param ns: The optional attribute's namespace.
        @type ns: (I{prefix}, I{name})
        @param default: An optional value to be returned when either the
            attribute does not exist or has no value.
        @type default: basestring
        @return: The attribute's value or I{default}.
        @rtype: basestring
        @see: __getitem__()