XSLT for Dummies

Chapter 2

Writing Your First XSLT Stylesheet

In This Chapter

Preparing your XSLT working environment

Creating a simple XML document

Writing an XSLT stylesheet

Running an XSLT processor

Creating a result tree

G rasping XSLT is kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Even my 7-year-old knows that the best way to approach a puzzle is to first connect all the pieces of the outer border and then work your way inside, eventually filling in all the missing spaces.

In a sense, this book follows that same pattern. Chapter 1 defines the “conceptual” edges of the XSLT puzzle by talking about the cast of characters, the X-team. This chapter fills in the remaining edge pieces as it deals with the “mechanics” of XSLT — the materials you need and the process you follow for doing transformations. After you finish this chapter, the puzzle edge will all be connected; the rest of the book then focuses on filling in all that’s left of this jigsaw puzzle.

Preparing Your XSLT Working Environment ...