Re: [xml-dev] Basic program structures in XSLT (was: Re: [xml-dev]Data-d

[Thomas Passin <list1@tompassin.net>]

For a completely different (though still declarative) take on getting 
data from markup -

https://blog.jonudell.net/2022/12/09/when-your-database-is-an-http-client/


On 12/9/2022 4:14 AM, Dave Pawson wrote:
> Sorry Rick, I was expanding on your input, not correcting your suggestions,
> i.e. suggesting what I needed when first faced with James xslt 1 offering.
>
> regards
>
> On Fri, 9 Dec 2022 at 08:40, Rick Jelliffe <rjelliffe@allette.com.au> wrote:
> > On Fri, 9 Dec 2022, 7:06 pm Dave Pawson, <dave.pawson@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Yes, but Rick....
> > >
> > > On Fri, 9 Dec 2022 at 07:01, Rick Jelliffe <rjelliffe@allette.com.au> wrote:
> > > > Most basic?
> > > >
> > > > 1. Push versus pull.
> > > Not enough? Why? explain these please? What's the impact of wrong choice?
> > > When to 'break' this rule (guidance)
> >
> > Pull programming is where you pull in values into a template. Push programming is where the structure of the incoming document determines the templates that are run.
> >
> >
> > > > 2. Event-based programming =  template matching descent default
> > > Wozzat?
> > >    Template match? Never heard of it.
> > >    Descent... of what? Why default? alternatives
> >
> > <xsl:template match="..."
> >      <xsl:apply-templates />
> > > > 3. XPaths 1.0 location steps, and value-of
> > >      What, how does xpath help / cause problems?
> > >      How used in this funny 'language'
> > >       The real nugget of XSLT, but quite alien to procedural programmers?
> >
> > Yes.
> > > > 4. If and choose
> > >    Yep, at last, something  most will recognise recognise!
> > >    But where is my 'repeat until'?
> >
> > Xsl has if and choose. It does not have repeat until: it uses Xpath for that.
> > > > 5. Rearranging and repeating things: variables,  apply-templates/@select, modes
> > >       I'd split
> > >          Rearranging and repeating things, again quite key (why etc...)
> > >     variables? Oh no they're not.
> > >         (hope apply templates explained before now)
> > >         BIG session on select 'rules'
> > >         modes? Another foreign language.
> > >
> > > > Not basic: key, function, anything in xpath 2 or 3 but not in xpath 1.
> > > +10
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > In other words, developers should be trained to first use the distinctive language features before (and instead of) rushing to use generic (I.e. vanilla) functional features.
> > > +1
> > >
> > > Thanks Rick.
> > >
> > >
> > > regards
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Dave Pawson
> > > XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
> > > Docbook FAQ.