Re: [xsl] position last and attributes

[Ihe Onwuka <ihe.onwuka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 12:30 PM, Andrew Welch <andrew.j.welch@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> <A 1st="1" second="2" third="3" fourth="4" fifth="5"/>
>>
>> now tell me what are the first and last attributes of  A.
>
> Ok, but first (as hopefully this will explain it):
>
> 1. What is the position() of @third ?
>
> 2. Why do:
>
> @second/position()
>
> @third/position()
>
> both return 1?
>

No. I'm moving on from the orthogonal conversation to one that is
conducted on my terms since you are the one trying to understand me.

 <A 1st="1" second="2" third="3" fourth="4" fifth="5"/>

1.  what are the first and last attributes of  A.
2. what are A/@*[1] and A/@*[last()]

Is there a definitive  answer to 1 (I say no).
Are there definitive answers to 2 (Well a processor will always give
you one if the set is not empty).

Is A/@* a representation of the attributes of A. (I say yes).
Is A/@* a faithful representation of the attributes of A?

If A/@* is a faithful representation of the attributes of A why does
it yields answers to questions that the original representation can't
answer.

So what if A/@* is not a faithful representation. Should I present the
answers it gives me as a universal truth.

Abstracting - If I represent a circle by two points in a plane (since
that's all I need to definitively construct the circle) can I now
assert that anything that is true about those two points is also true
about the circle or should I be more circumspect and cognitive of
possible anomalies.

For my two points substitute A/@* for my circle substitute  <A 1st="1"
second="2" third="3" fourth="4" fifth="5"/>