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