Hands-On XSL:
Transforming and Styling XML

What is XSL?

XSL is a vital companion to XML. It is used for two primary objectives: to transform and to style XML data. You can create HTML, WML, PDF and graphics using the styling features of XSL. With XSL transformations, you can import/export XML data between distributed applications. XSL simplifies XML processing and lends itself to developing scalable e-business solutions.

What is this course about?

This course provides detailed information on integrating XSL with existing and future business applications. You learn how to use XSL to transform and style XML data as well as design and debug XSL documents. You learn to apply XSLT, XPath and XSL-FO to convert XML data to various output formats including HTML, WML, PDF, SVG and EDI. You also learn to integrate XSL with client-server applications and databases.

What background do I need?

You should have experience creating XML documents at the level covered in Course 542, XML: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction. For example, you should:

• Know the rules for creating a well-formed XML document
• Know how to apply schemas and DTDs to validate XML data
• Have basic knowledge of parsers

Programming or scripting experience (in any language) is helpful, but is not assumed.

How is this course different from the XSL coverage in Course 542?

Course 542, XML: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, covers only the very basic aspects of XSL. Course 549 builds on this introduction to greatly expand your knowledge and experience in XSL.

What is XSLT and is it covered in the course?

Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) is a language used for transforming XML documents into other XML documents.

In this course, you learn how to use XSLT to transform and style XML documents for B2B transactions. You also learn how to use XSLT for presenting XML in HTML, WML, PDF, SVG and EDI formats.

What is XPath and is it covered in this course?

XPath is a language that describes how to locate specific elements (and attributes, processing instructions, etc.) in a document. It allows you to locate specific content within an XML document. XPath treats an XML document as a logical ordered tree.

XPath is covered to an advanced level in this course. There are a number of exercises to build your skills in developing XPath expressions.

What is XSL-FO and is it covered in this course?

Extensible Stylesheet Language Formatting Objects (XSL-FO) is used to style XML data for printing. This course covers XSL-FO type-setting and processing into PDF files.

(FO describes a model for pagination: a set of formatting objects may be defined implicitly over multiple pages; there may be running headers and footers over a set of pages; and footnotes can be defined.)

What is XQuery and is it covered in this course?

XQuery is a query and functional programming language that is designed to query collections of XML data and is a subset of XPath.

How much time is devoted to each topic?

What is Cocoon and is it covered in this course?

Cocoon is a set of tools used to aid development of large XML applications. In this course, benefits of Cocoon are examined and 1.5 hours are spent coding with Cocoon.

What kinds of hands-on exercises are in the course?

Approximately 40 percent of class time is devoted to hands-on exercises involving designing and creating XSL documents. This includes transforming XML data to various output formats, integrating XSL with existing back-office systems, optimising XSL processing for large XML repository.

What software does the course use?

This course uses Windows Server as the operating system. In this course, you compare deploying XSL on Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS 5) and Apache Server. We also use a database and various XSL development tools.

Is this course specific to one vendor?

No. We utilise various open source and commercial software tools for XSL. This course is not Microsoft specific.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

• 542, XML: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction covers XML-based solution development. Course 542 (or Course 575) is the prerequisite for Course 549.
• 570, Developing Java Web Applications: Hands-On covers advanced Web development with Java. The course includes basic coverage of how XSL can be integrated into a Java Web environment. Course 549 builds on this knowledge and offers a variety of XSL solutions.
• 489, JavaScript for Web Development: Hands-On provides the skills needed to write JavaScript to create dynamic, animated Web pages and interactive forms with built-in validation.
• 532, SQL Server Transact-SQL® Programming: Hands-On provides comprehensive coverage of Microsoft SQL Server for database developers. You learn how to use the power of Transact-SQL to develop high-performance database applications.
• 577, Building XML Web Services with Java: Hands-On teaches programmers to write new Web services and access existing Web services.

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US East Coast Dates