RE: :o) (Re: qualitative decline of xsl-list questions

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Américo Albuquerque [mailto:aalbuquerque@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On several posts I've read somebody (I think was David
> Carlise, but I'm  not sure) saying that we have to change the way we
> think XSLT. That C programmers, VB programmers, and alike, should try to
> think in a functional way instead of a programatical one. 

That's because you *do* have to think differently when using XSLT than when using OOP.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:owner-xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dimitre
> Novatchev

> As seen in microsoft.public.xml ... :o)
> 
> This hole XML DOM s**t is overly complex.
> It has tens and tens of methods and properties. and what
> are all these interfaces and objects for?
> this [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted]
> [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted].

I know Dimitre is just having fun here, but isn't this poster's complaint more with object-oriented programming than with MS programming in general? Java and .NET require, if not knowledge of, at least access to, references to extensive object libraries. If the poster isn't having some fun with OOP, it's best to find another line of work, I would think. 

As for XSLT and its "peculiarities", Dimitre speaks well to the fact that the core programming style for XSLT has been around for a very long time. He has also heard my confessions that I have long considered myself a neophyte programmer and that getting a handle on XSLT has vastly improved my overall programming skills, and has actually improved my OOP programming for some reason. 

XSLT, in fact, is itself a great teacher, and a very good way to introduce newcomers to programming. 

Chuck White
-------------------------
Author, Mastering XSLT, Sybex Books
Co-Author, Mastering XML Premium Edition, Sybex Books
http://www.javertising.com/webtech/
http://www.tumeric.net

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