Module 1: Introduction to XSLT

This module explains how XSLT was devised, what it looks like, and how it differs from procedural programming languages. This module also explains some common types of XSLT transformations and how a transformation is processed.

Lessons

• What Is XSLT?
• Are You Sure This Is a Language?
• Transformation Types
• XSL Processing

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 2: Simplified Style Sheets

This module explains how to create simple XSLT style sheets using the simplified style sheet syntax, describes which attributes are required by an XSLT style sheet, and how to extract a text node from an element.

Lessons

• The Essential Style Sheet
• Using an XSL Blueprint to Create HTML
• What Can't a Simplified Style Sheet Do?

Lab: Simplified Style Sheets

• Overview
• Create an HTML Page
• Build a Table from a XML Node-Set
• Sort Nodes Alphabetically

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 3: Get Around with XPath

This module explains how XPath is used in XSLT and how to navigate nodes in an XML document.

Lessons

• What Is XPath?
• Figure Out Location Steps
• Introduction to XPath Functions

Lab: Get Around with XPath

• Overview
• Find Certain Ancestors of a Node
• Use XPath Functions to Build a String from a Node-Set

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 4: Add Template Rules

This module explains how default templates are applied, what is the full syntax for creating an XSLT style sheet, and how to apply a template with the <xsl:apply-template&rt; element.

Lessons

• What Are Templates
• Un-simplifying the Style Sheet
• Using the Template Element
• Other Top-Level Elements

Lab: Add Template Rules

• Overview
• Create and Process a Style Sheet
• Create a Table of Children
• Create a Heading Showing Parent Names

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 5: Traditional Programming Concepts and XSLT

This module explains how to create variables that are used in XSLT style sheets, explores named templates and parameters, and explains the functions that are defined in the XSLT specification.

Lessons

• Programming Concepts You Can Use
• Work with Variables
• Call Named Templates
• Use Functions
• Create Modular Style Sheet Solutions

Lab: Traditional Programming Concepts and XSLT

• Overview
• Use a Variable as an Attribute Value
• Create a Template to Format a Number
• Create a Utility Style Sheet

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 6: XML Result Tree Creation

This module explains how to use node-set and result tree fragment variables in a style sheet and how to use <xsl:copy&rt; and <xsl:copy-of&rt; elements. This module also explains when to use <xsl:element&rt; and <xsl:attribute&rt; instead of literal result elements.

Lessons

• XML-Structured Variables
• XML Node Creation Elements

Lab: XML Result Tree Creation

• Overview
• Create and Copy a Result Tree Fragment
• Create and Use a Node-Set Variable
• Create and Use an Attribute Set

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 7: Calculate in XSLT

This module explains the concepts of recursive programming and how to summarize calculated values.

Lessons

• Programming with No Side Effects
• Apply Recursive Programming Techniques

Lab: Calculate in XSLT

• Overview
• Build a Comma-Delimited List

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 8: Common XSLT Challenges

This module explains how to apply the techniques learned in this course to common types of transformations, how to copy HTML tags from the data to the result, and how keys can speed up some transformations.

Lessons

• Applying XSLT
• How Do I Group Data?
• Another Solution: Grouping Data
• How Do I Copy HTML Tags from the Data?
• How Do I Add or Remove Whitespace?

Lab: Common XSLT Challenges

• Overview
• Group Data Using a Node Set
• Group Data Using a Key

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 9: Use of Processor-Specific Extensions

This module explains how elements and functions are implemented by certain processors that are outside the W3C specification, and how code can recover if you use an extension and process the style sheet with a processor that doesn't recognize it.

Lessons

• The Mechanics of Extensions
• Should You Use Extensions?
• Recovering from Missing Extensions

After completing this module, students will be able to: