RE: using a variable in sort block

Thank you for the reply.

>As long as you don't try to use the string value as an XPath expression.

This means that I could not provide a path to my var, such as "SENDER/NAME"
instead of "ARRIVED" which is why you have compared the name() of the
currrent element with my variable in the example below.  This is the only
way to be able to sort the list using variables, correct?

ex: <xsl:sort select="*[name(.)=$sortby]" order="{$sortorder}"/>

I guess that's too bad.  I would have liked to be able to use variables for
XPath expressions.

Also:
I'm trying out XMLSpy and it gives me an error: "Unexpected Value" at the
above line.
Using IE6 and MSXML4 I do not get any errors.  I guess that means that
XMLSpy just isn't handling the variable correctly?  Or is MSXML not
reporting an error that it should?  Which is better software to use?

G



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of G. Ken Holman
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 2:38 PM
To: xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re:  using a variable in sort block


At 2003-07-15 13:51 -0400, Greg Johnson wrote:
>What are the restrictions on using xsl:variables?

String variables cannot be used as raw XPath expression syntax and must
explicitly be referenced in any XPath expression as only a simple string.

>Am I not allowed to use it in an xsl:sort element?

As long as you don't try to use the string value as an XPath expression.

>I get the following error for the folowing xsl fragment:
>
><xsl:variable name="sortby">ARRIVED</xsl:variable>

Perhaps use <xsl:variable name="sortby" select="'ARRIVED'"/>

><xsl:variable name="sortorder">descending</xsl:variable>

Perhaps use <xsl:variable name="sortorder" select="'descending'"/>

><xsl:template match="REPORT">
><h1>
>         <xsl:value-of select="$sortby"/>
></h1>
><xsl:apply-templates select="INTERCHANGE">
>         <xsl:sort select="{$sortby}" order="{$sortorder}" />  <!-- ERROR
> HERE -->

I'm assuming by "ARRIVED" you mean the value of the child element named
"ARRIVED" ... if so, then use:

    <xsl:sort select="*[name(.)=$sortby]" order="{$sortorder}"/>

Note in the above that I am using the variable, but not *as* an XPath
expression, but rather *in* an XPath expression as a simple string.  I'm
selecting all children and then only referencing that child whose name is
the name in the string variable.

Note that what you are trying to do is *not* namespace safe, but I'm
assuming you are not using namespaces.

I hope this helps.

....................... Ken

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