XML and XSL Advanced

XML, by itself, is nothing more or less than data, described flexibly. In order to use this data in an application, you will typically transform this data into a format that your end-user (be it a browser, a portable device, or a database) can read. The key to these transformations is XSL. This course builds on the XSL concepts introduced in the Introduction to XML class to focus on building powerful, flexible, and modular stylesheets

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Master Advanced XSL
• Utilize the Power of XPath
• Generate Multiple Outputs from XML Data
• Manipulate your data with XSLT Functions and Expressions
• Transform XML for Data Exchange with XSLT
• Pass Data Between Pages with XML
• Perform Searches on Your XML Data
• Write Modular Code

Target audience

Students should have a significant level of knowledge and experience of XML and XSLT gained through experience or prior attendance.

Course content

Introduction and Goals of the Course Where does XSLT fit in? • Goals of the Course

Review: Processing an XML Datasheet with XSL An analysis of the XSLT code • Variables in XSL and the xsl:variable Tag

Using XSL to Parse Documents Sequentially Understanding Mixed-Content Elements in XSL • Exercise 1: Transforming an XML Sonnet for Display • Producing Combination-Type XSL Stylesheets • Exercise 2: Adding a section of footnotes to your sonnet

Numbering with xsl:number The < xsl:number> tag • Exercise 3: Referencing line numbers in your sonnet

XPath Axes and Expressions Using Axis Expressions to Specify Relationships • Exercise 4: Selecting and sorting parent elements by a child node

Functions and Calculations Common XSL Functions • Arithmetic in XSL • Exercise 5: Adding functions and arithmetic to your book report • Number Formatting • Exercise 6: Adding formatting to the numbers in your book report • Measuring Node Position • Exercise 7: Applying code appropriately based on node position

Writing Reusable Code Named Templates • Exercise 8: Creating and referencing a named template

Modes: Applying Different Templates to Nodes with the Same Name Exercise 9: Beginning a table of contents • Generating Unique Identifiers for Internal Hyperlinks • Exercise 10: Generating unique identifiers for the table of contents

Producing Output in Multiple Formats Producing Plain Text with XSL • Using Template Recursion to Produce Content • Exercise 11: Generating a sonnet in plain text • Producing New XML • Exercise 12: Rebuilding the XML of your book list • Reusable Conversion Templates • Making Exceptions in your Template Rules • Exercise 13: Making your conversion code portable

Dynamic Modification of XSL Generating Data Drill-Downs • Exercise 14: Adding a drill-down for book information • Displaying More Information Without Losing Your List of Links • Creating Scrollable Displays • Exercise 15: Allowing users to page through a display of books • Dynamic Searching with XSL • Exercise 16: Allowing users to search your list of books

Including External Code Libraries xsl:import vs. xsl:include • Case-insensitive searching • Exercise 17: Making a case-insensitive search that uses an external library

Appendix A: Introduction to the XML DOM Partial Searches with JavaScript • Building a Tree Display of your XML Content

Appendix B: Glossary

Appendix C: Special Characters

Appendix D: Recommended Resources

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