Java and XSLT (O'Reilly Java)

The power of XSLT is its ability to change the structure or format of any content that can be converted to XML. Java and XSLT shows you how to use XSL transformations in Java programs ranging from stand-alone applications to servlets. After an introduction to XSLT, the book focuses on applying transformations in some real-world scenarios, such as developing a discussion forum, transforming documents from one form to another, and generating content for wireless devices. Java and XSLT discusses several common XSLT processors and the TRAX API, paying special attention to performance issues. Although there's a brief tutorial introduction to the XSLT language, the primary focus of the book isn't on learning XSLT or developing stylesheets; it's on making practical use of transformations in Java code. The book covers:

• Introduction and Technology Review
• XSLT--The Basics
• XSLT--Beyond The Basics
• Java Web Architecture
• Programmatic Interfaces to XSLT Processors
• Using XSLT with Servlets
• Discussion Forum Implementation
• Advanced XSLT Web Techniques
• Testing, Tuning and Development Environments
• WAP and WML
• XSLT and Wireless Examples

Aimed at the Java developer who wants to learn XSLT quickly, Java and XSLT provides an in-depth guide to using XML to transform data in a variety of Web applications. With a no-nonsense presentation style and plenty of expert tips, this tutorial will let experienced developers master XSLT (and related standards) to create more flexible Web applications.

This text distinguishes itself with a fast-moving tutorial that covers XSLT from the ground up without getting bogged down in fast-changing XML standards, as is the case sometimes with other similar books. Combined with XML parsers (available in Sun's JAXP 1.1 APIs), Java is ready to go to solve real-world problems with XSLT. The author shows you how to apply XSLT to real problems, as well as integrating XSLT into your Web architecture. Early sections of the book show how XSLT can be used to separate presentation logic from business logic.

The first sections provide the basics of XSLT syntax, then the book moves on to more advanced searching and looping techniques. (Without traditional "state" or variables, XSLT requires a different way of thinking. This book does a good job of showing what's different in XSLT and techniques that can do more within real applications.)

This text's developer focus shows up early on, with a sample of XSLT used with Apache's Ant build utility. Later samples are more applicable to general Web development. A sample online discussion board built with servlets and XSLT style sheets shows off the fundamentals at work. With good coverage of Sun's JAXP 1.1 APIs for working with XML in Java, this book anchors its samples in real Java tools. A final section on wireless interfaces introduces the advantages of XSLT for transforming online content into WML for mobile devices.

Now that XSLT is a mainstream technology, more and more Java programmers will want to use it in real projects. Beyond syntax, this title shows you how to use XSLT to transform server-side data into client-side interfaces more flexibly. The practical focus of Java and XSLT is all you need to combine these two powerful technologies to create more maintainable Web applications that can reach both desktop and mobile browsers. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Introduction to XSLT; XML review; transforming data with XSLT; XPath; looping and sorting; conditional processing; formatting text and numbers; an XSLT example with the Ant build utility; review of Web architectures (including XSLT used with EJBs); compiling style sheets with JAXP 1.1; basic servlet tutorial (servlets used with XSLT); sample online discussion forum (with XSLT); advanced XSLT techniques (including session tracking without cookies, servlet filters, internationalization); tips for XSLT developers (developing, testing and debugging, performance tips); building wireless Web applications with WML and XSLT; JAXP 1.1 API reference; and XSLT quick reference.