RE: [xsl] Using or ignoring Types in XSLT 2.0 / XPath 2.0

Subject: RE: [xsl] Using or ignoring Types in XSLT 2.0 / XPath 2.0
From: me@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 10:11:42 -0700 (PDT)
> > The message that XSLT users don't want all this
> typing 
> > appears to fall 
> > on deaf ears since its apparently vital to the
xquery
> input 
> > to the working group.
> 
> The message that the above statement is rubbish seems
> to fall on even
> deafer ears.

Oh my - I missed most of this thread, but this sounds
like an on going, heated, battle. Forgive me if I am
out of place or way off but this is a gripe of mine
too. I would like to throw in my £0.02. I am fairly
positive this has been said before, but I would like to
reiterate it from an in-the-field-programmer who has no
clout.

Xpaths functions are ridiculously long. I have a hard
time getting programmers to adopt xslt because the
functions are not even close to any other language. 

Often times one can find similarities between
languages, which helps to shorten the learning curve.
For example, (my favorite)

(most) SQL:
SELECT TRIM(mything)

JAVA:
String booga = mystring.trim()

DELPHI:
function Trim(const S: string): string;

VB:
Trim() 

XPath / XSLT:
normalize-space() ?

What? I realize that [lf][tab] are normally not
included in trim functions, but I think it's easier to
say, "in xslt trim() removes line feeds" then "sorry,
you have to learn a whole new vocabulary"

Some of the functions are just insane. A good example
is "subtract-dateTimes-yielding-yearMonthDuration" -
yes I can tell what it does by looking at it; however,
if you think most 'normal' programmers are going to
memorize it and type it day in and day out, I think you
will be disappointed (using the US programmers I have
met over the years as my basis). 

I guarantee I could talk many (US) programmers *out* of
using xslt simply by showing them functions that are
this verbose.

I mean, there is a reason it's
<command>
mov ax, bx
</command>
and not
<command>
would-you-please-move-the-contents-of-register AX
to-the-register BX thank-you
</command>

I understand the reasoning behind the verbosity, but I
think it goes a bit too far.  

I look forward to 2.0 where I can (hopefully) replace
these functions with whatever I want. Meaning

<xsl:function name="trim" ...
  ... do normalize-space and return results
</xsl:function

So, as has been said before, I think the function's
names are too long.

- ok so perhaps it was only £0.01

- Rob Rohan

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