At a glance
Presenting XML Using XSL
One fundamental characteristic of XML is the separation of the structure, content and presentation of data. While the structure and content aspects are described in the Introduction to XML course, the presentation is the focus of this course.
This course covers creating output presentations using XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language). With XSL stylesheets, it is possible to transform an XML document into an HTML presentation, a text presentation, or even another XML document with a different structure. For situations where a non-text-based presentation is required (for example, PDF), XSL Formatting Objects (FO) are introduced.
Intended For
This course is intended for anyone who wants to create presentations from XML documents using XSL, and is targeted at developers. Managers and team leaders who require only an appreciation of the use of XSL will find the Introduction to XML course more appropriate.
Prerequisites
The purpose of this course is to ensure that participants are able to create presentations of XML documents using XSL stylesheets.
Participants are expected to be able to:
- Create well-formed XML documents.
- Create HTML documents.
Previous programming experience is preferred.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the context for and use of XSL in a business.
- Create XSL/T template rules.
- Filter XML nodes.
- Navigate the XML document tree.
- Use the iterative XSL/T commands.
- Use the conditional XSL/T commands.
- Use the generative XSL/T commands.
- Use the XSL/T functions.
- Use the advanced XSL/T features.
- Generate XML, HTML and text presentations from an XML document.
- Generate formatting objects and PDF presentations from an XML document.
Content
Stylesheets
Stylesheets are introduced as the presentation layer in the separation of content, structure and presentation. CSS is introduced as an attributive language, XSL is introduced as a pattern matching programming language.
Also covered is the different output types of XSL and their use, including formatting objects.
Templates
This module introduces the node structure of the source tree, creating template rules for these nodes and using the template rules.
XPath
This module covers the path expressions to navigate among the nodes of the source tree and the conditions that can be applied.
Iteration
The 2 iterative commands are described and compared.
Conditions
The 2 conditional commands are described.
Output Commands
The commands to generate elements, attributes and text are described.
Functions
The range of built-in functions are described.
Advanced Features
The advanced features of template mode and priority, named templates, variables and parameters are described.
Linking
This module covers linking stylesheets together, as well as linking elements of the source XML document.
Output Methods
The different output methods of XSL are described and compared.
Other Features
This module is a catch-all for other topics not already covered.
Formatting Objects
The block model of formatting objects is introduced and the structure of a formatting objects document is described.
Method Used
The techniques presented during the theory sessions will be reinforced by hands-on practical exercises using computers. If sufficient time is available at the end of the course, a 2nd case study will provide further reinforcement of the core learning objectives.
