Advanced XML: XSLT

Course objectives:
This course introduces the XSLT language (eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformations). The XSLT specification is maintained by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and is a core part of the growing family of XML technologies. A related XML technology is the XPath language, which is required for using XSLT stylesheets. Students in this course will therefore learn the basic elements of the XSLT language, as well as the syntax of XPath.

Requirements:
This course was designed for the student who is familiar with the general concepts involved in XML. Students should have a solid grounding in HTML. Some knowledge of basic programming concepts and/or experience with Web scripting (VBScript or JavaScript) would be helpful. Prior to taking this course, students should have knowledge to the level of the following PTR courses:

HTML Web Authoring
Dynamic HTML
XML Introduction
Introduction to Programming

Course content:
Introduction to XML Output

What is a Stylesheet?

Viewing XML Formatted with Various Stylesheets

Exploring an XSLT Stylesheet

Exploring the Differences in XSLT Versions
Basic XSLT Templates

XSLT Basics

Creating the Outline Foundation of an XSLT Stylesheet

XPath Practice

Outputting Element Content

Outputting Attribute Values

Using HTML with XSLT

Formatting XSLT Output With HTML

Using a Simplified Stylesheet

Output Other Than HTML

Transforming XML to XML
Basic XSLT Templates, Part 2

The Nature of XSLT Templates

Using xsl:apply-templates To Control Processing Flow

Comparing xsl:apply-templates and xsl:call-template

Sorting Elements in xsl:for-each and xsl:apply-templatesContexts

Elements, Attributes, Comments, and Text

Using xsl:element Elements

Using xsl:attribute Elements

Exploring the uses of XSLT Comments and Text
XSLT Conditional Elements

If/Then Conditionals

Using the xsl:if Element

Testing Multiple Conditions

Using xsl:choose Elements

Using xsl:for-each as a Conditional

Filtering and Order Control with xsl:for-each
Advanced XSLT Elements, Part 1

The Structure of XSLT Stylesheets Reconsidered

Importing and Including Stylesheets

Variables and Parameters
Advanced XSLT Elements, Part 2

Output Options

Copying XML Directly to the Output Tree

Using Other Advanced XSLT Elements
The Built-in XSLT Functions

General Purpose Functions

The document() Function
XPath Axes and Location Paths

The Current Context Reconsidered

XPath Axes and Unabbreviated XPath Syntax
Server-Side XSLT Programming with ASP, XML DOM, and ADO

Using XSLT with ASP and the XML DOM

Transforming XML Obtained from a Database
Data Islands and SVG Output

Using XML Data Islands with XSLT

Converting XML Documents into SVG Graphics
Appendix A: XSLT Syntax

XSLT Elements

XSLT Functions
Appendix B: XPath

XPath Syntax

XPath Axes

XPath Functions
Appendix C: Setting up a System DSN

Appendix D: XML to WML