| XSL -- First Step in Learning XML, September 2000 Archived at Pineapplesoft |  | |||
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The Pineapplesoft Link newsletter covered a wide range of technical topics, see the archived issues. The newsletter was first emailed in 1998. In 2001 Benoît discontinued it in favour of professional writing for magazines. The “ XSL -- First Step in Learning XML, September 2000” page was archived in 2003 to preserve the original content of September 2000. | ||||
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Welcome to the 33rd issue of Pineapplesoft Link. This is the September 2000 issue but, as you can see, it's published late in September! I took some holidays at the beginning of this month (Switzerland, most enjoyable, thank you) and this has played havoc with the publishing schedule. I have learned my lessons from the experience and I'll do my best to avoid similar delays in the future. September is a special month because Sams has released my second book: Applied XML Solutions. Applied XML Solutions builds on the best-selling tutorial, XML by Example. Applied XML Solutions answers the question: "I've learned XML, I know the syntax, I understand what XSL stands for but could you please give me more advanced examples on where I can use it in my organization today?" Applied XML Solutions features eight examples for you to learn XML at work. It is available at any bookstore and, online, at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672320541/pineapplesoftonl or, in Europe, at Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672320541/1960. Applied XML Solutions is not a beginner's tutorial. If you are new to XML, I recommend you start with XML by Example http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789722429/pineapplesoftonl. XSL -- First Step in Learning XML I'm often asked about what students should concentrate on when learning XML. My answer invariably includes some discussion of XSL, the style sheet language. I'm also asked which programming language works best with XML. Increasingly my answer is not just Java but Java and XSL. In this issue I'll revisit XSL, the XML Stylesheet Language. For the basics of XSL, you can turn to the May issue (http://www.psol.be/old/1/newsletter/20000501_xsl.html). The Value of XSL Like the mythical elephant and the blind, XSL is different things to different people. How you look at it depends on who you are and what you do. The two classes of XSL users are HTML designers and programmers. HTML designers concentrate on the style sheet aspect while programmers view XSL as a scripting language. Whether you're a designer or a programmer, you won't waste your time by learning XSL. Why? In a nutshell, because XSL is a tool to manipulate XML documents. With XML usage growth, being able to manipulate XML documents will become increasingly relevant. Incidentally my books reflect this belief, XSL a significant portion of "XML by Example" and it is even more prominently featured in "Applied XML Solutions." Style Sheet Language Let's first look at XSL for HTML designers. Designers use a subset of XSL that concentrates on the style sheet aspect. In essence, XSL plays a role similar to Cascading Style Sheet, of HTML fame, or Microsoft Word styles. With XSL, it is possible to change the presentation of thousands of pages on an entire web site with only a few keystrokes. Without going into too much technical detail, XSL is organized around templates. Each element in the XML document has a corresponding XSL template. Depending on the XML document, there might be templates for titles, paragraphs, bullet lists and more. The templates describe what the elements should look like in HTML. In other words, a template would say that an XML <title> element should become <H1> in HTML. The beauty of this XSL is that it is very open. Let's suppose that you decide to support wireless phones. You will need to redo your web site using WML, the wireless markup language, instead of HTML. While learning WML is easy, it can take days if not months to redo a large web site. Imagine having to edit every single page on your site. In contrast with XSL, it suffices to update the templates. That's only one file to update and the changes flow across the entire web site. XSL has a reputation for complexity. However, in my experience, the core style sheet subset of XSL can be taught in a couple of days. If you're an experienced HTML designer, you should not fear XSL. Scripting Language The second facet of XSL is the scripting language. In this capacity, XSL is a language to transform XML documents in other XML documents. It has all the features of programming languages including loops, function calls, variables and more. It's the scripting aspect of XSL that has earned it a reputation of complexity. For example, it is possible to write a sophisticated application that converts an invoice in an order while doing all kind of controls such as, checking that the amount and product references are valid. XSL is a valuable addition to any programmer toolbox, whether your interests are in Java or in Windows development. Why? Because, as I have already indicated, XSL is a tool to manipulate XML documents and, as XML popularity keeps growing, you will find that you need to manipulate XML documents frequently. It's best to learn an efficient tool. One frustrating aspect of XSL is that it is limited to document manipulation. You will find that it often does 85 to 90% of what is needed! Fortunately it is very easy to integrate XSL in a large application or even extend XSL with objects written in Java or VBScript. I give several examples in Applied XML Solutions. Conclusion If you are learning XML, you should devote some time to learning XSL. It is probably the most useful XML tool for HTML developers and programmers alike. Self-Promotion Department One book and two conferences this month. As I have already indicated, my latest book, Applied XML Solutions, was published this month. I have included the press release in this issue. Next month, I'll talk at the XML One conference in London. In November, I'll be at the XML and e-business Integration Forum in Paris. I have included some information on the Forum after the book press release. I hope to meet you at one of the two conferences. My publisher is organizing a book signing at the XML One conference. For Release: On Receipt Advanced XML Solves Real World Business Problems NAMUR, BELGIUM: Building on the success of his best-selling book, XML by Example XML expert Benoît Marchal has developed an advanced textbook for people who want to script XML solutions to real-world business problems. His newest book, Applied XML Solutions (ISBN: 0-672-32054-1, $44.99), was released by Macmillan's Sams division in September 2000. It focuses on eight common business situations made easier with clear understanding of XML:
This focus on real-world situations is what sets Applied XML Solutions apart from its competitors. Readers will be able to study the solutions and adapt them to issues in their own business. A CD bundled with the book allows readers to go through the examples step by step and to get a running start on working with the code. Marchal, a Belgian software consultant and author of several books, is available for e-mail and telephone interviews. His two XML books are widely available through bookstores and online retailers. You can also learn more at http://www.pineapplesoft.com ### XML and e-business Integration Forum The third edition of the "XML and e-business Integration Forum" takes place on the 21st and 22nd November 2000 in the Palais des Congres, Paris. The forum is the leading event on XML and e-business technologies for IT professionals. Two days of high level conferences featuring keynote sessions, technical sessions, management sessions and case studies cover every topics: Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Content management, E-Procurement, XML/EDI and Supply-Chain Integration, Enterprise Information Portals, e-Business Technologies, E-market places, B2B platforms, and more. At the exhibition, visitors discover dozens of innovative solutions. Free educational product seminars are offered by leading vendors. More info and registration at http://technoforum.fr About Pineapplesoft Link Pineapplesoft Link is a free email magazine. Each month, it discusses technologies, trends and facts of interest to web developers. The information and design of this issue of Pineapplesoft Link are owned by Benoit Marchal and Pineapplesoft. Permission to copy or forward it is hereby granted provided it is prefaced with the words: "As appeared in Pineapplesoft Link - http://www.pineapplesoft.com." Editor: Benoit Marchal Acknowledgments: thanks to Sean McLoughlin MBA for helping me with this issue. Back issues are available at http://www.psol.be/old/1/newsletter/. Although the editor and the publisher have used reasonable endeavors to ensure accuracy of the contents, they assume no responsibility for any error or omission that may appear in the document. Last update: September 2000. |