XSLT Programmer's Reference [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Michael Kay (Author) "It wouldn't be too extravagant to claim that XML is the biggest thing to hit the web since the whole thing started less than ten..." (more)
Key Phrases: current output destination, literal result element, stylesheet module, Internet Explorer, Attributes Name Value Meaning, Arguments Argument Data (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
As XML begins to take hold, the eXtensible Stylesheet Language: Transformation (XSLT) standard will be playing a major role in making all those XML predictions a reality. Author Michael Kay exudes enthusiasm in this guide, XSLT Programmer's Reference, by taking every opportunity to illustrate the power and flexibility of XSLT.

Kay calls XSLT the "SQL of the Web"--a phrase that is sure to perk up the ears of many readers expecting a simple documentation of just another Web-language standard. Like other Wrox Programmer's Reference series titles, this book starts off with chapters that rapidly introduce the concepts and set the context for the core of the book, which is a complete documentation of the XSLT standard. The book uses this space well to explore the transformation process and the tree structure that is used for both input and output of style sheet documents. By the time the reader gets to the reference section of the book, he or she will be convinced of the power of XSLT.

Each element of XSLT is covered with concise examples that include both the source XML code and style sheet code. XSLT style sheets can be used in a variety of ways and across a wide spectrum of complexity. The book helps the reader grasp this concept by presenting four style-sheet design patterns that comprise the vast majority of implementations. The text looks at each, demonstrating how to identify the design pattern by its content and apply it to appropriate circumstances.

XSLT is the true muscle behind XML and is integral to putting XML to work in the real world. This title is simply a must-have for any developer utilizing XML. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered:

• XSLT transformation processing model
• Style sheet structure
• XSLT element reference
• Expressions patterns
• Functions
• Style-sheet design patterns
• Case studies
• Saxon
• Xalan
• xt
• Microsoft MSXML3

Product Description
THIS BOOK HAS BEEN UPDATED. XSLT PROGRAMMER'S REFERENCE, 2ND EDITION (ISBN 1861005067), IS AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW

XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language) is the styling language to match XML. At the most basic level it allows the programmer to manipulate XML on a template model - XSL provides the template to fit XML data into for displaying on a web page. However, it is capable of much more than that, and allows programmers to selectively query, display and manipulate data, perform scripting-like operations on the XML document and transform it into pure HTML for use on browsers which don't support XML.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 777 pages
• Publisher: Wrox Press; 1 edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861003129
• ISBN-13: 978-1861003126
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,472,776 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMPORTANT: Things to keep in mind before buying this book, May 31, 2000

By	John Tompkins (Greenpoint, WI) - See all my reviews

1. This is really a reference, not a tutorial. It does include a "no nonsense tutorial" which will guide you through the basic XSLT topics, but if you have no XML experience, start with one of the more basic Wrox offerings. (David Hunter's Beginning XML -- which I hear will be excellent -- is going to be released by Wrox early in June.)

2. If you are unclear on the purposes of XSLT, understand that it is a programming language for converting data, performing scripting tasks, etc. on the way to a pure HTML or XML layout. I only mention this because some developers seem to be operating under the mistaken belief that XSLT is an appropriate subject for graphic designers, perhaps because XSLT contains the word "style." Do NOT get this book for your design staff.

3. Not a major hurdle for most of us, but some implementations, such as Xalan, are not covered.

That aside, this is a fantastic book. Everything I can think of in the XSL arena is covered, including extending XSL. The author, Michael Kay, who was such a force on the Professional XML team, once again proves to be an excellent writer. The browser specific details are just what I needed to solve many of my real-world production problems. And I continue to be amazed at the speed with which Wrox gets these comprehensive volumes to press.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!...with a capital "B", August 13, 2000

By	Francois Theberge (PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The well-balanced blend of highly technical details, precise and carefully crafted examples are made very agreeable by Michael Kay's outstanding writing style. No fluff, nor arcane technical hocus-pocus that leaves the reader dazzed and kerflumoxed. Althought this book is not a tutorial, I found it highly motivating for self-teaching.

The first 3 chapters explains a) what is XSLT b)how it works c)what makes it works (structure). It guides you clearly, in detail, trouhgt this crucial first example ("Greetings") so you're not stuck wondering HOW to make this stuff work. Explanations are to the point, and crucial relationships are put in context without verbosis.

Chapters 4 to 7 is the Reference section, the nitty-gritty details of each feature of XSLT. That'll help a lot when trying to fly on your own. This is followed by "Worked Examples" again beautifully explained.

Then, the tools. Not a mere URL reference to "Download this and you'll do just fine, mate!" but a hands-on guide to the nuts and bolts of each of them. Very helpful!

I read 7 books so far on XML/XSL. Kay's book is the gem that stands out way above from the crowd. A winner!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, June 29, 2000

By	Mike Kraley (Lexington, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This is a truly outstanding book. Of the very many computer books I have read, this is one of the top 5.

As other reviews have correctly stated, this is neither a tutorial nor an introductory text. But if you have been working with XML/XSL for even a little while, the dearth of complete and accurate documentation becomes onerous. I have spent untold hours experimenting with variations of syntax to get the desired results, never really understanding what I was doing. After reading this book, so many of the mysteries and black magic incantations I had built developed now become clear.

This is a deeply detailed reference book, and it is very much written from the perspective of an author of an XSLT parser. You get innumerable details about all sorts of arcana. But once you get beyond some very simple stylesheets, I have found that you often need this kind of detail to help you understand exactly what is going on.

The heavy slogging thru the material is greatly aided by Mr. Kay's refreshing writing style. He completely avoids the fluff, illiteracy, or arrogance so common in technical writing. His language is precise, yet easy to read. Most commendable are his examples. Rather than the trivial, artificial or non-sensical example we often see, each example here (and there are LOTS of them) is well-crafted, well-explained, and relevant to a real-world task.

Another astounding fact is the relative sparseness of typos and errors. As an author myself, I know that computer publishers rush to print with all sorts of egregious errors that are very disruptive. Although I did encounter a very few errors in this book, Mr. Kay and Wrox are to be commended highly for a very professional first edition.

A monumental writing job, excellently done. This belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who is seriously involved in XSL work.