[XSL-LIST Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message]

RE: XSL processor?

Subject: RE: XSL processor?
From: "Mabry, F. DR EECS" <df6954@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 17:28:52 -0400
saxon software
XSL is the XML vocabulary for the extensible stylesheet language.  XSL is
usually broken down into XSL-T (or XSLT) [for XSL Transforms] and XSL-FO
[for XSL Formatting Objects].  XSL-FO is presently still being defined and
discussed.  Its likely impact is oriented on control and specification of
the rendering of documents for different form factors (printing, browser
display on a traditional display screen, on a PDA display, etc.).  Transform
descriptions (in XSLT) provide for the translation of an XML input file to
some output file (often XML or HTML or text, but that is not set in stone).
The templates that comprise the majority of XSLT descriptions are used in a
declarative manner to match the input XML "tree" and transform it into an
output tree.  Note the use of the word declarative: this is not a procedural
language.  There is no simple "top to bottom" execution of the template
match rules.  I think that understanding the importance of XSLT is critical
to realizing the real power that XML has brought to information system
design and development.

For a simple download and ease of use I suggest that you try Instant Saxon.
Mike Kay who is a regular contributor here developed Saxon.  Instant Saxon
is the Saxon XSLT processor bound into a single executable for the Win32
platform.  It is invoked from the command line and comes with some examples.
I found it very useful with my students this past year.  It allowed them to
get into XML transforms and thereby develop really complex information
systems.  The Saxon software includes a parser ("a slightly improved version
of the Ælfred parser from Microstar"). 


The URL for Saxon is:
http://users.iclway.co.uk/mhkay/saxon/
<http://users.iclway.co.uk/mhkay/saxon/> 

The download URL for Instant Saxon is:
http://users.iclway.co.uk/mhkay/saxon/instant.html
<http://users.iclway.co.uk/mhkay/saxon/instant.html> 
It is only a 250K download, which is the smallest download for a full XSLT
system that I know of.  

Mike has written a book (titled "XSLT") that is very good.  Don't let its
size intimidate you.  It can be used in a "gulp at a time" manner as you get
into XSLT.  I expect to use it as a principle reference in an upcoming
workshop for some of my fellow faculty members.  

You could of course use the MS version of XSL that is "rolled into" IE5.  Be
very careful if you try to learn about XSLT using that processor.  As
someone put it, they are "110% compliant with the standard" ... the problem
is you have to figure out what is the extra 10% that is not standard.  Had
they used a separate namespace for their extensions (as Kay did) then it
would be less problematic.  Other contributors to this list may provide you
with other suggestions.  I am reporting either my personal experience or
personal opinion (please don't infer any type of endorsement from my
comments).  [Sorry but I have to include that whenever I state a personal
opinion to avoid any misunderstanding WRT the Academy, etc.]

Frank
Dr. Frank Mabry
Dept. of EE&CS, U.S. Military Academy
West Point, NY 10996
email: df6954@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phone: (914) 938-2960


		-----Original Message-----
		From:	Laura Price [mailto:lprice@xxxxxxx]
		Sent:	Wednesday, May 31, 2000 10:09 AM
		To:	'XSL-List@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'
		Subject:	XSL processor?

		Sorry, I'm a bit new to all this...

		I keep hearing little rumors about xsl processors, but can't
find anywhere I
		can actually download one.  What is an xsl processor, and do
I need one in
		addition to an xml parser? 



		 XSL-List info and archive:
http://www.mulberrytech.com/xsl/xsl-list


 XSL-List info and archive:  http://www.mulberrytech.com/xsl/xsl-list


Current Thread

PURCHASE STYLUS STUDIO ONLINE TODAY!

Purchasing Stylus Studio from our online shop is Easy, Secure and Value Priced!

Buy Stylus Studio Now

Download The World's Best XML IDE!

Accelerate XML development with our award-winning XML IDE - Download a free trial today!

Don't miss another message! Subscribe to this list today.
Email
First Name
Last Name
Company
Subscribe in XML format
RSS 2.0
Atom 0.3
Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Trademarks
Free Stylus Studio XML Training:
W3C Member
Stylus Studio® and DataDirect XQuery ™are products from DataDirect Technologies, is a registered trademark of Progress Software Corporation, in the U.S. and other countries. © 2004-2013 All Rights Reserved.