Re: [xsl] How to use generate-id() inside an xsl:function without a node available?

["Andrew Welch" <andrew.j.welch@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 2/27/07, Abel Braaksma <abel.online@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi List,
>
> This seems an obvious question to ask, but I couldn't find anything on
> the net (but more often than not, it is a matter of wrong keywords, I am
> sure). The issue is this: I have a function that generates some nodes
> based on some strings and these nodes must receive a unique ID/IDREF
> value. Normally, one would use generate-id(), but inside a function (or
> inside anything that does not have a context node), generate-id() will fail.
>
> My question: how can I create unique identifiers without a node in sight?
>
> Example function (which will err):
>
> <xsl:function name="my:dupSVGText">
>    <xsl:variable name="new-id" select="generate-id()" />
>    <svg:text id="{$new-id}">some text</svg:text>
>    <svg:use xlink:href="#{$new-id}" y="10" />
> </xsl:function>
>
> My original function is a bit larger (ahum, counted > 100 lines today,
> time for refactoring...) and creates some SVG objects that reference one
> another, which is why I must make sure the ID for referencing the
> xlink:href attributes are unique within the document. Don't let the SVG
> and XLink upset or distract you, I just mention it to explain my use-case.
>
> And no, there's no way that there will be a node in sight (it is really
> disconnected from the source document). Yes, I can use different
> techniques than xsl:function if needed (of course). Oh, and before I
> forget: I can do so with extension functions or assignable variables
> (saxon), but I'd rather not to.

As generate-id() provides node identity and "there's no node in sight"
then I would say generate-id() is the wrong function to use here.

I guess you'll have to add a param to the function and supply the id -
whatever's calling the function should be able to come up with a
suitable value...