XSLT is an essential tool for converting XML into other kinds of documents: HTML, PDF file, and many others. It's a critical technology for XML-based platforms such as Microsoft .NET, Sun Microsystems' Sun One, as well as for most web browsers and authoring tools. As useful as XSLT is, however, most people have a difficult time getting used to its peculiar characteristics. The ability to use advanced techniques depends on a clear and exact understanding of how XSLT templates work and interact.
The XSLT 1.0 Pocket Reference from O'Reilly wants to make sure you achieve that level of understanding. With its concise approach, this handy pocket guide quickly gets you up to speed on XSLT 1.0 so you can covert XML like a seasoned pro. In addition to covering the basics of stylesheet structure, it also explains how to:
use template rules
create a result tree
apply conditional processing
transform multiple source documents
employ number formatting
Thanks to their convenient, quick-reference format, O'Reilly's Pocket References spare you from having to hunt through larger books for answers. They deliver just what you need to get the job done in a timely fashion. And the XSLT 1.0 Pocket Reference is no different--it's the ideal companion to have at your desk when you need an answer fast.
Evan Lenz is an XML developer specializing in XSLT. He recently worked for Infopop Corporation as an interface engineer, and has served on the W3C XSL Working Group, spoken at various XML conferences, and co-authored O'Reilly's Office 2003 XML. Evan holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Wheaton College (IL), with majors in Piano Performance and Philosophy. He currently lives in Seattle, Washington.
Just bought this book. I had been waiting for a long time for a book like this to come out. It really helps you wrap your arms around what C&A is all about.
8/15/2006
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
A perfect distillation of XPath and XSL into a pocket-size book
By Jim Garrison
from Undisclosed
Comments about oreilly XSLT 1.0 Pocket Reference:
This book represents an amazing feat of distilling all you really need to know about XSL 1.0 into 170 pocket-sized pages. What's more amazing is that an experienced developer with little prior XML/XSL experience can actually learn enough from this little gem to write competent XSL.
A reference manual AND quality tutorial in 1/20th the space (and dead trees) of most tech books these days. I've recommended this to several of my colleagues who had to get up to speed on XSL for a new project, and the reaction from them is the same as mine.... This was EXACTLY what I needed.
It's a shame there are no plans for Evan to write the corresponding XSLT 2.0 pockete reference.
