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RE: [xsl] newbie question


Subject: RE: [xsl] newbie question
From: Wendell Piez <wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2003 14:31:44 -0500

At 02:00 PM 3/8/2003, Brian wrote:
I think if newbies follow the same path I
did, they learn a lot about the XSLT elements but don't get too excited
about XPath beyond the basic patterns.  Yet IMO that's where the true power
of XSLT lies.  Perhaps if so many newbies struggle with advanced XPath, that
points to a weakness in some of the educational materials, at least what's
online?  Those who actually teach the subject likely can provide more
insight.

Confirming what Brian says, I and my Mulberry colleagues have found that (a) four hours spent systematically studying and practicing XPath pays for itself within a day or two of writing code, (b) XPath does not reward guessing (even if you get the syntax doing something it works only until it fools you), (c) an experienced instructor/practitioner can help (it goes on constantly on this list), and (d) the self-taught can indeed miss XPath's significance and relation to XSLT. I don't think weaknesses in the educational materials are entirely to blame for this; there are some subtleties about it.


But this is only tangentially related to Attribute Value Templates. We instructors understand XPath can be a bit sticky, but really powerful. AVTs are so simple, but they are among the FAQest of FAQs (hence I share Mike's curiosity).

Regards,
Wendell

___&&__&_&___&_&__&&&__&_&__&__&&____&&_&___&__&_&&_____&__&__&&_____&_&&_
    "Thus I make my own use of the telegraph, without consulting
     the directors, like the sparrows, which I perceive use it
     extensively for a perch." -- Thoreau


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