Re: linkedin discussion of "can you sell an XSLT?"

On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 4:10 PM, Robert Koberg <rob@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> And of course once you compile it with a specific processor you lose one of
> the best things about an XSL stylesheet: the ability to run it on more than
> one processor.

JVM byte-code or .NET IL code both are not processor-specific.
Fortunately, there is no need for XSLT byte-code :)



--
Cheers,
Dimitre Novatchev
---------------------------------------
Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence.
---------------------------------------
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk
-------------------------------------
Never fight an inanimate object
-------------------------------------
You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what
you're doing is work or play




>
> -Rob
>
>
> On Jun 4, 2009, at 6:52 PM, Dimitre Novatchev wrote:
>
>> Many XSLT processors can compile a (at least a main/primary)
>> stylesheet to executable code. AFAIK Saxon can compile to Java
>> byte-code or Java source code and .NET XslCompiledTransform compiles
>> to .NET IL code. Many years ago Sun provided such "XSLT compilation.
>>
>> In this way a single application written in XSLT can be offered in
>> executable code and this is usually a significant part of the
>> technical protection of any software application.
>>
>> What is still missing is the ability to compile a set/library of
>> stylesheets that can be used by a primary stylesheet at runtime.
>> Though there is not any provision in the W3 Spec how to do this for
>> XSLT (I think things are better for XQuery), a de-facto
>> standard/implementation would be extremely useful. Not only some
>> existing libraries such as FXSL, FunctX, ()one put here any EXSLT
>> *implementation*, although EXSLT is just a specification, and by
>> default the implementations are not in XSLT themselves) etc., would
>> benefit from easier deployment (say in browsers), but this will
>> stimulate authors to write more such libraries -- to the benefit of
>> the whole XSLT developers community.
>>
>> I would welcome if EXSLT2 specifies a mechanism for run-time binding
>> between a main stylesheets and one or more compiled libraries of
>> functions/templates.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cheers,
>> Dimitre Novatchev
>> ---------------------------------------
>> Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence.
>> ---------------------------------------
>> To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk
>> -------------------------------------
>> Never fight an inanimate object
>> -------------------------------------
>> You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what
>> you're doing is work or play
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:21 PM, Paul Kiel <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Folks,
>>>
>>> Had an interesting discussion that I started on a Linkedin group, but
>>> should
>>> probably have started here. B I had originally asked the question "can
you
>>> sell an XSLT?". B And by that I don't mean is it possible, but would
>>> anyone
>>> buy one. B What is the market for XSLTs as products?
>>>
>>> The comments clearly indicated that people are willing to (and actually
>>> do)
>>> buy XSLTs. B They tend to come in two forms. B First, a specific solution
>>> to a
>>> specific task. B A key niche need. B Second, there is the idea of XSLT as
a
>>> software platform. B XSLT as programming in Xml. B I've certainly thought
>>> this
>>> because I've been working with xml for so long that I *think* in terms of
>>> Xml (perhaps there is a 12 step program for this). B So XSLT to me is the
>>> java of Xml. B Of course no offense to java users, myself being one too.
>>>
>>> The reason I brought this up is that while I've been involved in open
>>> source
>>> XSLT work as well as created innumerable ones for clients individually, I
>>> have lots of ideas about XSLTs as general products.
>>>
>>> B Ken Holman of course highlighted a key component to this topic, which
is
>>> obfuscation in order to protect intellectual property. B  That would be
>>> the
>>> difference between open source and product solutions.
>>>
>>> So I post these comments here wondering if you have thoughts on this
>>> topic
>>> as well. B Would love to hear them.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Paul Kiel
>>>
>>> ===================================
>>> W. Paul Kiel
>>> xmlHelpline.com Consulting
>>> bCelebrating 10 years of Xml developmentb
>>> paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> work: 919-846-0224
>>> cell: 919-449-8801
>>> website: http://www.xmlhelpline.com
>>> ===================================