Length: 2 Days

OVERVIEW

XSLT (Extensible Style Language Transformations) is a language for transforming XML documents into other XML documents. XSLT is designed for use as part of XSL, which is a stylesheet language for XML. XSLT implements transformation by example, and builds in support for the kinds of transformation typically needed to present information. XSLT is the most common way to format XSL output to HTML. If you are responsible for generating Web-based materials from XML files, then XSLT knowledge is a must.

OBJECTIVES: What you will accomplish in this course

  • XSLT elements and how they are used
  • XSLT functions and how to apply them
  • Transform XML data to multiple outputs

PRE-REQUISITES: What you should already know

  • HTML syntax for formatting output
  • Basic XML structure and syntax
  • It is assumed that you can
    • Create files with a text editor
    • Know how to download and unzip files onto your computer
    • Navigate your computer’s file structure

COURSE OUTLINE

  • XSLT: A Quick Look Overview
    • XSL: A Quick Look
    • Building a Template
    • Calling the Stylesheet
    • Choosing and Placing Data
    • Looping and Sorting
    • Using Attributes
    • Conditional Processing
    • Template Rules
    • XPath: Overview
    • XPath: Functions
    • XPath: Expressions
  • Processing with Templates
    • Template Overview
    • Template Rules
    • “Pull” Template
    • “Push” Template
    • Named Templates
    • Combination Template
  • Elements and Instructions
    • Overview
    • Template Instructions
    • Input Structure
    • Generating Output
    • Variables and Parameters
    • Copying from Source
    • Conditional Processing
    • Ordering Output
  • XSLT and XPath Functions
    • Functions
    • Number
    • String
    • Boolean
    • Context Sensitive
    • Node Access
    • Node
    • Environment
  • XPath: Selective Node Processing
    • What is it
    • Axes
      • self
      • child
      • descendant
      • descendant-or-self
      • parent
      • ancestor
      • ancestor-or-self
      • following-sibling
      • preceding-sibling
      • following
      • preceding
      • attribute
  • Dynamic Grouping
    • Grouping: What is it
    • Unduping a List
    • Lists with Unique Headings
    • Muenchian Method
  • CSS: Cascading Stylesheets
    • Overview of CSS
    • Application Layers
    • Formatting Output
  • HTML Pagination
    • Examining the XML Data
    • Design a Page Template
    • Display a Specific Page
    • Define the Navigation System
    • Create the Navigation Links
  • Tricks and Traps
  • WRAP UP
  • Q&A