RE: [xsl] How to extract data from an element and not from its children

[Wendell Piez <wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Vikram,

At 01:39 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote:
> If it's textual content, I agree.. We certainly want to continue with
> <p>Hello, <b>World!</b></p>
>
> But if it's data, and since you're using xml, you obviuosly intend to
> imitate a real world hierarchy/structure, wouldn't the following seem
> strange:
> <hardware>
> <screws>
> This is the description of screws
> <screw>
> One
> </screw>
> </screws><screws>
> This is a specification of screws
> <screw>
> Two
> </screw>
> </screws></hardware>
>
> By orphaning that text without a node, you take away the (meta-)meaning
> of the text. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of using xml to describe
> data so it can be used by other readers, human and machine?

There was no indication in the OP's question that this was the case. 
Rather, the question was asked very generally.

This is like someone saying "how do I slice up my chiles" and your 
saying "it seems a bit strange to add chiles" and when I say "but 
there's nothing wrong with chiles" you say "what if I'm making ice cream?"

Actually, maybe I'm being a bit hard on you ... it may actually be 
true that even having to use the construct xsl:value-of 
select="text()[1]" is an indication of poor design in general, for 
reasons you imply. But we don't know that for sure in this case. (We 
also can't assume the OP controls the design. Many people are writing 
XSLT to handle, and even improve, badly designed XML.)

As for the relevance of your post to the list -- it's perfectly 
within scope. Theoretical questions and debates are welcome, as long 
as they're related to XSL.

Cheers,
Wendell

> To me, it gives me the same uncomfortable feeling as someone doing the
> following in html:
> <table>
> <tr><td>Hello</td></tr>whoa whats this text doin here,..just don't
> belong!
> <tr><td>World</td></tr>
> </table>
>
> Rgds
>
> (btw I'm a newbie here, I like this list, and if such debates are
> considered spam, please don't reply and let it die :) )


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