Re: finding the first element of a specific type

Hello:

Here's my code:

<xsl:variable name="printable_register1" select="//register
                   [@status  ='direct' or @status='reserve'][1]"/>

<xsl:template match="register">
 <xsl:choose>
  <xsl:when test="generate-id(self::*)=generate-id($printable_register1)">
   ... do stuff

I want to find the first register that has either "direct" or "reserve"
status so that there will be no page break printed when that and only that
one is output.  But it ain't working.  Can anyone help me.

I'd try the preceding axis:
 <xsl:template match="register">
  <xsl:choose>
   <xsl:when test="not(preceding::register[@status
          ='direct' or @status='reserve'])">
    ...

BTW without testing it specifically I'd say your approach
should work too, although it's a bit...unconventional
(for example, most people tend to use . instead of self::*).