RE: object-oriented XSL

On Wed, 21 Aug 2002, Hunsberger, Peter wrote:

> > the idea is based on the concept of using XML as a programming language,
> > pretty much like XSL, but instead of a declarative, transform-focused
> > language it would be procedural, even object-oriented.
>
> Sorry, I don't see the need.  If you're "bending over backwards" to make
> XSLT do business logic you're probably not using it correctly.  In
> particular, I find that multiple transformations combined with data
> aggregation from multiple sources is sufficient for representing all logic
> (not just business logic) completely.

of course it is sufficient, so is a Turing machine, it doesn't mean that
it is the most suitable tool for the purpose. i'm not here to preach the
advantages of object-oriented development, but i believe that although
XSLT can be used for other things, it's purpose and focus is, and should
be, XML transforms.

> Thinking in terms of using trees to prune and enhance other trees isn't
> procedural logic and thus may not seem natural if procedural programming is
> your background.  However, it is an efficient and complete programming
> methodology; the addition of procedural logic is not necessary.  If you want
> procedural logic, use a procedural language (Java comes to mind!), don't
> invent a new one.  If you want to combine XML and procedural methodologies
> in a single "language" you may want to look at XSP (implemented again in
> Cocoon, but I believe also other places?) which combines XML and Java.

if you want declarative logic, use a declarative language, don't invent a
new one! seriously though, coming from a background of both functional and
procedural programming i think i am capable to see the strengths as well
as the weaknesses of XSLT. and it's exactly its strengths that i am
wishing to leverage here, and i think that to a great extent that can be
done within a purely procedural, oo model.

XSP is nice, but it doesn't go all the way in integrating the language
into the XML model as XSLT has.

just my £.02

/m


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