Re: [xsl] Convert paramter to a sequence

[Colin Paul Adams <colin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>>>> "Michael" == Michael Kay <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

    >> > Pass the parameter as the Xpath value "(1, 2, 3)".
    >> 
    >> If the system allows xpath expressions to be specified
    >> externally.  Unless I've missed something, saxon (for example)
    >> only allows (on the command line) parameters to be specified by
    >> a string value or be specified as a document node by passing in
    >> a file name/uri.

    Michael> Yes. Some products allow you to specify an XPath
    Michael> expression as the parameter value. With Saxon you always
    Michael> pass a value, not an expression.

I too always pass a value, not an expression.
But I get round this for passing XPath parameter expressions from the
command line by converting them to a value first.

I do this by:

1) Saving the static context of the xsl:tranform/stylesheet element of
   the principal stylesheet module in the executable stylesheet. I can
   then use this to parse the parameter into a parsed XPath
   expression.
2) I create a dynamic context based on the initial context node and
   evaluate the expression using that context.
3) The resulting value is then set as the parameter.

The sharp-eyed amongst you will notice that there is no initial
context node if only an initial template is requested. In this case I
disallow XPath expression strings as parameters.
But in fact passing (1,2,3) as a parameter is quite likely to be of
great use in just such a scenario. So one day I intend to remove this
limitation. It should be fairly easy - I just have no time right now.

I think Saxon could easily be adapted to use such a scheme.
-- 
Colin Adams
Preston Lancashire