Re: [xsl] The output of evaluating an XSLT transform is the same regardless of the order in which output elements are evaluated. Right?

[Wendell Piez <wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 08:13 AM 4/13/2010, David wrote:
> But the main point is, asking what the processor is doing is just 
> teh wrong question if the intention is to understand XSLT, it's only 
> teh right question to ask if you are trying to optimise for time or 
> space, in which case it is a processor specific question and not 
> related to general XSLT semantics.

Not infrequently (maybe even on this list) I've compared it to dining 
in a restaurant vs cooking a meal for oneself.

I actually don't care whether the onions were chopped before the 
parsley, or even whether the bouillabaise was made yesterday or an 
hour ago, as long as it's tasty. I do want things to be prepared 
properly and correctly, and presented in the correct order and proportions.

Along lines Ken suggests, knowing something about how this restaurant 
uses fresh ingredients or makes their pasta by hand may be useful in 
choosing a restaurant. But as a diner I generally don't have the 
option of dictating how a dish is prepared. Nor do I mind how the 
chef does it, as long as it's what I asked for.

In my own kitchen, suddenly order of execution becomes a concern. And 
that's "procedural" not "declarative".

And just so, if knowing more about how food is cooked makes me a 
better diner, it's because I understand better how to respect and 
communicate with the restaurant staff, not because I will now give 
them instructions in how to make my souffle.

Cheers,
Wendell



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Wendell Piez                            mailto:wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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