XSLT is a powerful language for transforming XML documents into something else. That something else can be an HTML document, another XML document, a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file, a Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) file, Java code, or a number of other things. You write an XSLT stylesheet to define the rules for transforming an XML document, and the XSLT processor does the work. As useful as XSLT is, its peculiar characteristics make it a difficult language in which to get started. In fact, newcomers are often a little dazed on first contact. Learning XSLT offers a hands-on introduction to help them get up to speed with XSLT quickly. The book will help web developers and designers understand this powerful but often mystifying template-driven and functional-styled language, getting them over the many differences between XSLT and the more conventional programming languages. Learning XSLT moves smoothly from the simple to complex, illustrating all aspects of XSLT 1.0 through step-by-step examples that you'll practice as you work through the book. Thorough in its coverage of the language, the book makes few assumptions about what you may already know. You'll learn about XSLT's template-based syntax, how XSLT templates work with each other, and gain an understanding of XSLT variables. Learning XSLT also explains how the XML Path Language (XPath) is used by XSLT and provides a glimpse of what the future holds for XSLT 2.0 and XPath 2.0. The ability to transform one XML vocabulary to another is fundamental to exploiting the power of XML. Learning XSLT is a carefully paced, example-rich introduction to XSLT that will have you understanding and using XSLT on your own in no time.

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Uncharacteristically poor for O'reilly,  November 09 2006
Submitted by GBK   [Respond | View]

I agree with the poor reviews and am surprised O'Reilly let this out without sufficient oversight. This was the most recent XSLT book I could find on O'Reilly Safari and was attempting to read it cover to cover but gave up after the second chapter.

There are a lot of digressions explaining concepts 'in detail' at the wrong place, thereby confusing the reader. Also concepts and language used is not consistent and sometimes cryptic.

I finally switched to 'XSLT' by Doug Tidwell and what a relief it was, even though the book is 2 years older and was released in 2001.


Meandering explanations, confusing examples,  July 09 2006
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

This book's poor organization and aimless discussion are shocking for an O'Reilly title. The author is more concerned with where to look in the XML or XSLT spec for more detail than introducing concepts logically and providing meaningful examples. An entire chapter is devoted to charchter sets and code pages when all I want to know is how to turn XML into HTML.

I bought this title based on glowing reviews at Amazon, and am sorely disappointed I didn't go to a bookstore and thumb through a copy. XSLT is difficult enough to figure out for a beginner, but I don't see how this book is of much value even to seasoned programmers.


A well written introduction,  February 28 2005
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

This book is an excellent introduction to XSLT, as a trianer as well as a developer I found that it was well paced and the clarity of the information leaves nothing to be desired. It is preseneted in bite sized chunks so I have no hesitation in recomending it as post a training resource. I can also recomend it to all those who wish to learn the fundamentals of XSLT, even if they do not have a wide knowledge of XML. In some respects it also serves as a usefull starting point for XML as XSLT provides practical hands on results.
The layout and design of the book are easy on the eye.


Too Clever,  July 27 2004
Submitted by Andy   [Respond | View]

Key concepts are not introduced in a logical sequence, requiring the reader to jump around through the book to get a full picture. Explanations are few, extremely terse, and hardly lucid. The author's examples seem too clever, not practical, instead demonstrating the author's ability to torture XSL's syntax.

I do not feel this book is in any way keeping with the extremely high-quality of O'Reilly's titles, which I have come to rely on in the past decade.


Must Disagree,  July 21 2004
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

I found this text to be poorly organized, wordy, & confusing. The author doesn't properly explain templates until Chapter 10 (p. 180). One must start with the basics, then proceed to build upon them!



Very good entry level book,  April 25 2004
Submitted by Bob Bannon from the Columbia Java Users Group   [Respond | View]

Learning XSLT provides a comprehensive introduction to XSLT. This is a very good entry-level book on XSLT. This book provides a entry level approach without being too "entry level."

The author focuses on providing examples for each concept demonstrated and builds on those examples in subsequent chapters. The author explains the template-based approach of XSLT and how it is different from typical programming or scripting languages.

In addition, the book covers XSLT functions. The functions are explained fully and examples are well written. After each example, the book discusses the implications of the example and the output that results from the transformation. The author points out where the chapter in the book relates to the section of the XSLT specification, if the reader wanted to find the actual specification. All the chapters are easy to follow and understand because the author's writing style is very fluid and clear. The upcoming XSLT 2.0 specifications are also highlighted throughout the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone new to XSLT. It's a good book for learning XSLT in clear terms and at an easy pace. You won't be let down if you take the time to read it carefully, try out the different features of XSLT, and think about the XSLT concepts presented.

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