[xsl] How to avoid careless mistakes when using XSLT modes?

["David Sewell dsewell@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <xsl-list-service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just spent too much time completely puzzled about why a particular template 
was not producing correct/expected output before realizing that in many cases 
the template was not matching anything -- because some time ago I had added a 
mode to certain instances of <xsl:template> and <xsl:apply-templates> without 
being sure to adjust other templates in the stylesheet.

Adding mode="#all" to my failing template fixed the problem.

Obviously one could prevent many such problems by checking for the existence of 
@mode in a stylesheet before working with it. Remembering always to do that is 
the problem. Any other suggestions? (I guess one could make a habit of adding an 
<xsl:message> to the template matching the root to warn that the template is 
using modes.)

David

--
David Sewell
Manager of Digital Initiatives
The University of Virginia Press
Email: dsewell@xxxxxxxxxxxx   Tel: +1 434 924 9973
Web: http://www.upress.virginia.edu/rotunda