Introduction to XSLT (2 days)

Introduction to XSLT Overview

This XSLT training class teaches developers how to transform XML documents into HTML, plain text and other XML formats.

Introduction to XSLT Course Goals

• Learn to use XPath to access XML elements and attributes
• Learn to loop through XML elements
• Learn to use conditionals in XSLT
• Learn to create and call templates
• Learn to work with multiple XSLTs
• Learn to reference external XML documents

Introduction to XSLT Course Prerequisites

Experience in the following areas is required:

• Basic XML

Introduction to XSLT Course Outline

1. XSLT Basics
   1. eXtensible Stylesheet Language
   2. An XSLT Stylesheet
      1. xsl:template
      2. xsl:value-of
      3. Whitespace and xsl:text
   3. Output Types
      1. Text
      2. XML
      3. HTML
   4. XSLT Elements and Attributes
      1. xsl:element
      2. xsl:attribute
      3. Attributes and Curly Brackets
2. XPath
   1. XPath in XSLT
   2. XPath Expression
   3. XPath Terminology
      1. Context Node
      2. Current Node
      3. Context Size
      4. Proximity Position
   4. Location Paths
   5. Axis
   6. Node Test
   7. Predicate
   8. Accessing Nodes
   9. Abbreviated Syntax
   10. XPath Functions
   11. XPath Operators
3. Flow Control in XSLT
   1. Looping in XSLT
   2. Sorting with XSLT
   3. Looping and Sorting
   4. Conditions with XSLT
4. XSLT Templates, Parameters and Variables
   1. xsl:apply-templates
   2. xsl:call-template
   3. Passing Parameters
   4. Removing Content
   5. Template Modes
   6. Template Priority
      1. Default Priorities
      2. Assigning Priorities
   7. XSLT Variables
5. Multiple XML and XSLT Documents
   1. Including XSLTs
   2. Importing XSLTs
   3. Conflict resolution
   4. The document() Function
6. Working with Keys
   1. Key Basics
      1. <xsl:key/>
      2. The key() Function
      3. Improving Performance with Keys
         1. Cross References
         2. The Key Way
      4. Grouping
         1. The generate-id() Function
         2. Using generate-id() for Grouping
7. Advanced XSLT Techniques
   1. Working with Numbered Lists
      1. The position() function
      2. xsl:number
   2. Outputting Processing Instructions
   3. Copying Nodes
      1. xsl:copy
      2. xsl:copy-of
8. Tying It All Together
   1. Workshop: Sharing data and transforming it for the Web

Introduction to XSLT Course Materials

In addition to a comprehensive set of materials, including course notes and all the programming examples, each student will also receive a one-year subscription to Webucator's online reference library, which contains hundreds of the most current electronic technology books - a $149.95 per student value.

Introduction to XSLT Technical Requirements

1. Operating System Options
   • Windows Vista
   • Windows XP with Service Pack 2
2. Editor Options
   • XMLSpy Professional Edition
     • Download
   • Stylus Studio
     • Download
   • <oXygen/> XML Editor
     • Download
3. Browser Options
   • Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
     • Download
   • Firefox
     • Download

Class Files for Introduction to XSLT

1. Download the class files.
2. After downloading the files, click here for further instructions.