Amazon.com
The book is remarkable in its wide-ranging perspective on XML and XSLT, plus it contains a complete reference to all elements and keywords used in XSLT and XPath. The author has created his own open-source implementation of XSLT and thus writes knowledgeably about all current XML standards. Early sections explain the larger strategies of using XSLT to transform XML data for browsers or for B2B systems. Clear diagrams--and short sample documents--are used to explain where XSLT fits into the big picture of today's XML-based systems. The book has plenty to say about new and emerging standards, so you can plan effectively for what's on the horizon.
The core of the book is its 400-page alphabetical reference on every XSL element, expression, and function (including XPath for querying and specifying XML data). Each entry is amply illustrated with example code and hints for using each feature correctly. You also get plenty of rules for using common XSL features effectively, along with sample usage.
Later sections of the book look at "design patterns" for types of XSLT style sheets, including simple fill-in-the-blanks and more advanced rule-based and computation style sheets. There are also digestible examples of XSLT used to format a long text document (for the XML standard itself), genealogy data (for a family tree), and a chess problem. Several appendices provide information on several popular XML and XSLT tools, including Microsoft MSXML3, the author's own Saxon XSLT processor, and Apache's Xalan tool.
With its mix of practical advice and solid reference matter, this book is a perfect choice for any developer working with XML and XSLT who needs a reliable guide to these important and groundbreaking technologies. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered:
- Introduction and reference to XSLT standards
- Basics of transforming XML with XSLT, XPath, XPointer, and related XML standards
- The XML tree model
- Transforming XML (including push and pull processing)
- XSLT variables, expressions, and datatypes
- The structure of style sheets (including top-level elements and template bodies)
- Comprehensive reference to all XSLT elements, expressions, patterns, and functions
- Creating extension functions for XSLT in Java and JavaScript
- Style sheet design patterns (fill-in-the-blanks, navigational, rule-based, and computational style sheets)
- Sample XSLT code for formatting a large document (with the XML specification)
- A family tree (with genealogical data) and chess data (the Knight's tour problem)
- Appendices and references for XSLT/XML tools (including Microsoft MSXML3, Oracle Java XSLT processor, the Saxon processor, and Apache Xalan)
Book Description
This book is for programmers who want to learn how to use the XSLT language for developing web applications. The book is in four parts: a detailed introduction to the concepts of the language, a reference section giving comprehensive specifications and working examples of every feature, a development guide giving design advice and case studies for the advanced user, and a product reference detailing the features and usage of the latest versions of Microsoft MSXML, Apache Xalan, Oracle XML, open source Saxon, the TRAX API and other processors and tools.
What does this book cover?
* Explains the rationale behind XSLT: what is it for?
* Describes the XSLT processing model
* Explores design patterns and stylesheet structure
* Provides a full reference to the XPath and XSLT languages
* Demonstrates the use of XSLT with worked examples
* Describes currently available XSLT processors - updated to reflect recent advances in XSLT parser technology
* Includes coverage of proposed specification enhancements
As an experienced developer, you need to get the facts on a new technology fast. Without the marketing hype, without the trivial introduction. That's what Wrox Programmer's References deliver. Hard facts on the newest technologies with practical examples of how to apply new tools to your development projects today.
