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XSLT is the most common way of formatting
XML output to HTML. It is an essential programming skill for
anyone who will be responsible for generating web-based materials
from XML source files. Whether you are implementing a single-source
documentation strategy or building an eBusiness application,
if you are planning to use XML, then you'll likely be using
XSLT to transform the output. This course is designed for
people who want or need an extensive and detailed understanding
of the W3C XSLT and XPath standards. Ideal candidates for
this course would be writers who need an advanced understanding
of XSLT to implement single-source documentation suites and
programmers who will be using XSLT to transform XML data into
a variety of output mediums for single-source and eBusiness
applications.
Practical Guide to XSLT is
an online course developed by Ken Holman, one of the world's
leading experts in the XML family of standards. And online-learning.com
has adapted the course in order to couple Ken's subject matter
expertise with our proven instructor-Mentored learning approach.
The course combines Ken's new fast-paced,
bullet-style course material with instructor mentoring via
discussion groups, chat and e-mail There are eight practical
‘marked’ assignments. This course normally takes
about 10-weeks to complete. However, students can accelerate
their efforts in order to complete the course material in
much less time if they wish.
This course is a Practical guide to
all aspects of the W3C XSLT and XPath standards. It consists
of nine separate modules and four additional annexes of information.
Each module teaches a different aspect of the XSLT language
and eight of the modules include a hands-on workshop to drill
the student in specific aspects of the language.
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Course Outline
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| Provides
you with an overview to the XML language and family. It
provides you with an understanding of the roles and relationships
between the members of the XML family of recommendations
-- relating to XSLT and XPath, an awareness of available
documentation, a small subset of publicly available resources
and an understanding of the data flows possible when using
XSLT in different contexts and scenarios. |
| Provides
you with a basic introduction into stylesheets through
analysis of several different stylesheet examples. It
covers the basic syntax through example, and introduces
the concepts of instructions and templates. In the hands-on
exercise, you run an example XSLT stylesheet and examines
the results. |
| Explains
the need for data abstractions and the use of the XPath
language to reference different kinds of objects in the
XML node tree hierarchy. It provides you with an understanding
of the Xpath data model, an awareness of basic pattern
syntax and an understanding of the XPath expression context.
In the hands-on exercise, you write various XPath expressions
to access 22 different kinds of tree node data.
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| Provides
you with an introduction to the XSLT processor and the
processing model. Sample XSLT stylesheets are used to
show how information is matched and extracted using basic
XSLT instructions and basic XSLT templates. In the hands-on
exercise, you get the opportunity to practice using these
basic instructions and templates. |
| Provides
you with an understanding of the XSLT transformation environment.
This includes an overview of the use of the elements,
an understanding of how different controls impact the
input and output files to and from the XSLT processor
and an awareness of the communication available between
the processor and the environment. In the hands-on exercise,
you output HTML files using these controls. |
| Provides
you with techniques for managing the logical and physical
structures within XSLT stylesheets, an introduction into
the use of variables and an understanding of why classical
programming approaches do not apply. This is particularly
appropriate for experienced programmers. In the hands-on
exercise, you get a chance to apply some of these new
programming techniques. |
| Provides
an introduction of result tree nodes. You will learn how
to use these different instructions for selectively using
portions of templates, and you will gain an awareness
of numbering facilities. You will understand how to synthesize
result tree nodes and you will learn how to disable the
escaping of text. In the hands-on exercise, you get the
opportunity to use these different structures.
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| Introduces
additional XPath and XSLT functions and advanced techniques,
such as expression functions as well as content and document
referencing techniques. In the hands-on exercise, you
build an index to practice these functions and techniques.
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| Introduces
the concepts of sorting and grouping. You will learn how
to sort source nodes to make result nodes and you will
learn several approaches to grouping common nodes found
in source node tree. In the hands-on exercise, you get
a chance to practice these two commonly used concepts.
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| Provides
you with the history behind web presentation standards
and the overall context of the W3C web presentation standards.
It also discusses the concept of well-formed HTML versus
traditional HTML markup techniques. It also provides you
with a few techniques for common HTML transformations.
Annex B provides you
awareness of the formatting objectives of the XSL development
committee and an awareness of the formatting model. Provides
you with a quick reference summary index of all XSLT elements
and where they can be found in both the W3C recommendation
and this course. It also provides a summary index of all
the grammar productions from the XSLT and XPath recommendations
(complete with print-oriented cross references) and a
summary index of all functions of XSLT and Xpath. Provides
you with a set of sample questions to ask all vendors
of XSLT processors. It provides some of the incantations
of the popular processor tools (e.g. Xalan, Saxon, XT,
and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5) and documentation of
the XT extension facilities. |
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Course Requirements
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Students should have a good working
understanding of XML authoring and be familiar with the XSL
programming, authoring and formatting concept. Suggested training
includes our six-week Introduction to XML Authoring course,
our twelve-week Professional XML Authoring course, our XSL
Techniques for Writers course or relevant work experience.
If you have any questions on your eligibility,
please contact the instructor at xsl@Online-learning.com.
Students receive a CD-ROM that contains
all course readings and software. The course CD includes a
special evaluation version of the XML authoring tool XMetaL,
a copy of the XSLT processor XT and a copy of the XSLFO processor
FOP.
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pentium-compatible
processor (133 MHz or faster) |
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32
MB of available RAM |
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super
VGA display, 640 x 480 resolution |
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35
MB of disk space |
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40
MB extra disk space during installation |
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CD
drive |
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an
XML-compliant browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher
is recommended |
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Internet
access |
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e-mail
program: such as Outlook or Outlook Express |
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Windows
XP/Windows 2000/Windows ME/Windows NT/Windows 98 |
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Further Information
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Students receive a certificate
of completion for this course. Please see certification
for details.
Introductory price of $699.00 US includes
a CD-ROM with all necessary authoring software and extensive
reading materials. The course comes with the latest electronic
version of Ken Holman's book "Practical Transformation Using
XSLT and XPath". The previous version of this book, "Definitive
XSLT and XPath", is published by Prentice-Hall and available
at Amazon.com.
The electronic version provides you with lifetime access to
electronic updates of the book. Like the course, Ken's book
uses a unique bullet-style prose for faster, more efficient
reading! Here's a review
of the book. You can also visit Ken's
site to look at sections of the book.
All of the course readings, discussions,
and assignments are conducted electronically. The instructor
works directly with each student in the course via email. In
addition, the instructor holds regular web chat sessions to
discuss topics of interest and assignments with the class as
a whole. Students may also use the online discussion bulletin
board to post messages regarding topics of interest and assignments.
Communication with your instructor
and your classmates is an important aspect of this course.
Several tools are provided to help you communicate more effectively.
The tools can be accessed from your 'student locker' page.
Students are encouraged to communicate with each other
through the course discussion group and through regular chat
sessions. Use the discussion group to share information or
to seek assistance with assignments. If you have a question
on an assignment that is of a general nature, use the discussion
group to post your question since other students will also
benefit from the response. If you need personal assistance,
e-mail your instructor.
Students are not required to attend
chat sessions; however, most students find them beneficial.
During chat sessions, students may ask questions relating
to assignments or usability issues.
The instructor will send out weekly
e-mail updates. The instructor's comments will discuss course
issues, assignments, and other information that is related
to the course. Since students are participating from locations
around the world, communication is especially important. Using
the course communications regularly will help students to
have a richer learning experience.
If you have further questions about
this course, or have special circumstances (i.e. student/corporate
group needs), we would be glad to talk
with you!
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About the author
Ken Holman is one of the world's leading
industry experts in the XML family of standards. He is the Chief
Technology Officer for Crane Softwrights Ltd., a Canadian corporation
offering OmniMark programming, DSSSL and XSL/XSLT language training,
and general SGML and XML related computer systems analysis services
to international customers. Ken is also the current Canadian chair
of the ISO subcommittee responsible for the SGML family of standards,
current chair of the OASIS XSLT Conformance Technical Subcommittee,
an invited expert to the W3C, and former chair of the OASIS XML
Conformance Technical Subcommittee. He is the author of "Practical
Transformation Using XSLT and XPath".
About the instructor
Simon Lebrun is a knowledge management
consultant with KMU. He uses XML and XSL technologies to provide
information management solutions to financial institutions, Internet
service providers and telecommunication firms.
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