XML : XSL Transformations, Level 1

Course specifications

Hardware/software required to run this course

A Pentium-based PC, 133 MHz or higher.

32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended).

Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000.

A text editor; for example, Notepad or Allaire's HomeSite.

MS Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.

MSXML 3.0 Parser or higher.

Course description

Overview: 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. The numerous built-in XPath functions are also covered thoroughly. Using XSLT and XPath, students will transform XML documents into other XML documents, and into HTML for display in a browser. The MSXML parser is used in conjunction with the Internet Explorer browser for data examples.

Prerequisites: 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 take the following Element K courses or have equivalent knowledge:

HTML 4.0 Level 1 , HTML 4.0 Level 2 , Cascading Style Sheets , XML Introduction , Introduction to Programming

Delivery: Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with structured hands-on activities.

Benefits: Students will learn the basics of the XSLT and XPath languages. This includes how to work with XSLT templates, various XSLT elements including conditional elements, recursive techniques, XPath pattern matching, XPath filters, and the numerous built-in XPath functions.

Target student: This course is for anyone already introduced to the basics of XML and its related technologies, and who is interested in XML programming. Students should have a strong background with HTML, and preferably have some knowledge of CSS and general programming concepts.

What's next: This course is a part of a series of courses that provide the foundation of XML technologies. After having learned about DTDs and Schemas, XSL/XSLT, XPath, XML DOM,and XLink/XPointer, students will be well-poised to start integrating XML support into their Web applications using ASP/ADO, Java/JSP, various database management systems, ColdFusion, and so on.

Performanced-based objectives

• Use the MSXML stylesheet processor to view the output of an XSLT transformation.
• Transform an XML document into both HTML and alternate XML documents.
• Control XSLT output by using multiple templates and adding new content during document processing.
• Use conditional elements to control XSLT processing flow.
• Use Node-set and Boolean related XPath functions in XPath expressions.
• Use String and Number related XPath functions in XPath expressions.

Course content

Lesson 1: Introduction to XML Output

What is a Stylesheet?

Lesson 2: Basic XSLT Templates

XSLT Basics

Using HTML with XSLT

Output Other Than HTML

Lesson 3: Basic XSLT Templates, Part 2

The Nature of XSLT Templates

Elements, Attributes, Comments, and Text

Lesson 4: XSLT Conditional Elements

If/Then Conditionals

Testing Multiple Conditions

Using as a Conditional

Lesson 5: XPath Node-Set and Boolean Functions

XPath Node-Set Functions

XPath Boolean Functions

Lesson 6: XPath String and Number Functions

XPath String Functions

XPath Number Functions

Appendix A: XSLT Elements

Appendix B: XPath Functions

XPath Syntax

XPath Functions