If the path starts with // then all elements in the document which fulfill following criteria are selected.
//BBB
Select all elements BBB
<AAA>
<BBB/>
<CCC/>
<BBB/>
<DDD>
<BBB/>
</DDD>
<CCC>
<DDD>
<BBB/>
<BBB/>
</DDD>
</CCC>
</AAA>
//DDD/BBB
Select all elements BBB which are children of DDD
<AAA>
<BBB/>
<CCC/>
<BBB/>
<DDD>
<BBB/>
</DDD>
<CCC>
<DDD>
<BBB/>
<BBB/>
</DDD>
</CCC>
</AAA>