XSLT 2.0 Programmer's Reference

by Michael Kay

What is this book about? XSLT 2.0 Programmer's Reference, 3rd Edition,  is the authoritative reference guide to the language. Without using the formal and inaccessible language of the W3C specifications, it tells you exactly what every construct in the language does, and how it is intended to be used. This book is a reference rather than a tutorial; it is designed for the professional programmer who is using the language every day. It is the book that people quote when they claim that a particular product is giving the wrong answer, and the book that implementers of the language turn to when they want clarification of the specifications. At the same time, the book is readable. Reviews of the previous editions of the XSLT Programmer’s Reference, which this book grew from, show that readers appreciate the background material on the design thinking behind the language, the essay on functional programming, the occasional dry wit, the gentle criticism of the language specification when appropriate, and the fact that the examples stray into a diverse range of interesting application areas.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

960 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

NB: There are more than one Michael Kay on GR's database. This is the 'catch-all' profile.

For Michael Kay (sports journalist), see here.

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful while learning XSLT 2.0, but I recommend reading the 4th edition instead. XSLT 2.0 was still in draft form when this book was published. The 4th edition covers the official XSLT 2.0 spec and has numerous corrections. The XSLT 2.0 and XPath 2.0 books were also merged into a single book in the 4th edition. And the organization/writing is much better.

[mcburton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds the key to understanding XML. While the content may be dry, Kay's excellent writing was able to keep me going.

[Eric]

I've read the first set (from 2004) but XSLT/XPath 2.0 is mature enough for commercial use. :)

[Hugh Chatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE reference text for XSLT Versions 1.0 and 2.0