Beginning XSLT 2.0: From Novice to Professional

by Jeni Tennison

* Updated for XSLT 2.0, the latest revision * A clear, step-by-step introduction to XSLT for practical, everyday tasks * Suitable for complete beginners, even people who have never programmed before * Comprehensive, but focuses on techniques that are used time and time again; Uses a fun byut realistic case study throughout * Includes introductions to many of the most popular XML vocabularies Written by one of the leading experts on both XSLT and XML Schema; technical review by Michael Kay, the leading and well-known expert on XSLT.

824 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Roger Sperberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's possible somebody understands XSLT better than Jeni Tennison (OK, I'm thinking Michael Kay, but I'm allowing for Wendell Piez and a handful of others).

Without exception, no one explains it better than she.

This book does suffer from relying on a single example for all explanations. I think it would be better served by three or four distinct datasets/use cases, with some chapters even explaining its aspect's use by applying it to more than one of them. As it is, the "improvement" taught in an earlier chapter confuses why you're now manipulating your content in yet another way and why it's in an earlier state or different state than other chapters. Odd as it sounds, it's the chronology that's muddying things for the reader.

I've read much of the book and consult it in preference to any other XSLT 2 title; I don't think I'll reach a point where I can mark this book as "finished." Mostly my response to Jeni's clear explanations is 5 stars, but I have the occasional inability to realize her point because of the confusion I allude to above, hence 4 stars to distinguish it from the hypothetical updated and clarified future version of this same title.

[Riccardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a deep dive into XSLT if you want to learn the language from scratch. In particular the first half of the book deals with the core of XSLT and XPath in quite detail.

It is valuable due to it's broad and detailed scope if you have time to eventually digest it all, and this is its main drawback.
The author uses a complete TV guide example to explain concepts, which I find to be quite complex, in particular for beginners.

The second half of the book deals with very specific topics related to XSLT. This may result less interesting for some people (while useful for others)

In conclusion, you may consider this book a good resource for learning XSLT, but time and a basic pre-existing knowledge of HTML and XML are a prerequisites

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the first edition which covered XSLT 1.0 and XPath 1.0. It is the best tutorial style book on XSLT. I have skimmed through the 2nd edition and was disappointed to see the chapter on schematron was removed. In my mind, schematron is such an useful tool, that I recommend the first edition over the second.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to learn XSLT, the is the best reference I've found. Not only is it good for a rapid leg-up, but it has the depth of coverage to be your one-and-only reference in most cases.

[Elizabeth]

Oy!