# prepare (protected)
```php
prepare ( string $str [, bool $lowercase = true [, string $defaultBRText = DEFAULT_BR_TEXT [, string $defaultSpanText = DEFAULT_SPAN_TEXT ]]] )
```
Initializes the DOM object.
| Parameters | Description
| ---------- | -----------
| `str` | The HTML document string.
| `lowercase` | Tag names are parsed in lowercase letters if enabled.
| `defaultBRText` | Defines the default text to return for `
` elements.
| `defaultSpanText` | Defines the default text to return for `` elements.