RE: Re: XPath expression confusion

Yes, that throws some light on the problem. Thanks. I've made similar mistakes before, even on questions posted to this list. Maybe it will stick in my mind this time.
-- 
Charles Knell
cknell@xxxxxxxxxx - email



-----Original Message-----
From:     David Carlisle <davidc@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent:     Thu, 12 Jan 2006 23:47:36 GMT
To:       xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:  Re:  XPath expression confusion


> <xsl:variable name="all-reqs" select="document('requirements.xml')/requirements//requirement/number" />
> 
>   <xsl:template match="/">
>     <un-assigned-reqs>
>       <xsl:for-each select="$all-reqs">
>         <xsl:choose>
>           <xsl:when test="/system/components/component/requirement/@number = ." />

That test can never be true.
If the top level element in requirements.xml is requirements, then the
path starting /system will select the empty node set.

/ at the start of an xpath means the root of the tree containing the
current node, and the current node  here is an item in $all-reqs which
is a tree rooted in the node returned by the document() function.
I suspect you meant

 <xsl:variable name="all-reqs" select="document('requirements.xml')/requirements//requirement/number" />
<xsl:variable name="$root" select="/"/>
 
   <xsl:template match="/">
     <un-assigned-reqs>
       <xsl:for-each select="$all-reqs">
         <xsl:choose>
           <xsl:when test="$root/system/components/component/requirement/@number = ." />

although you dont need an xsl:choose with an empty branch it looks like
a single xpath is all you need

select="$all-reqs[not(.=$root/system/components/component/requirement/@number)]">
<requirement><xsl:value-of select="." /></requirement>

David

________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The
service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
http://www.star.net.uk
________________________________________________________________________