RE: [xsl] Matching elements based on element type:

[Wendell Piez <wapiez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 12:36 PM 7/17/2006, Mike wrote:
> > It feels kind of risky to use a standard that hasn't even
> > been finalized by the w3c yet...
>
> Attitudes to risk vary. The Saxon XSLT 2.0 processor is being used in some
> very big applications, for example several investment banks are using it. I
> guess that's because investment bankers are accustomed to taking risks and
> profiting when they pay off.

And perhaps because in their case the payoff is large enough to cover 
the down side, when and if it ever happens.

Some operations need to consider longer time horizons, perhaps do not 
have technical staff time to devote to learning and maintaining a 
leading-edge technology (in their lights, an unproven one) on narrow 
margins, etc. Or maybe their transformation requirements are more 
than adequately served already. Many factors are involved.

"If you need to upgrade your tools and you haven't, you're already 
paying for them." The flip side is that if you don't and you do, 
you're also paying extra.

I'm using XSLT 2.0 myself, and so are some people and operations I 
know. But by no means is it (yet) for everyone. Becoming a Rec and 
seeing more implementations will certainly help. It's a process of 
cultural/marketplace bootstrapping, and as such, fascinating to 
observe as well as take part in.

Cheers,
Wendell