”XML is text, but isn’t meant to be read”
Number three in WorldWideWeb Consortium’s (W3C) ”XML in 10 points” [W3C, 2001] pinpoints one main feature and problem of XML languages. They only describe the contained information based on structural aspects, and separate it from the design. In order to present this information, for example as a web page or in print, they have to be transformed into an appropriate form. XSL is an concept for expressing stylesheets that can transform XML documents. This paper provides an overview over the main concepts of transforming XML with XSL, describes another representative of generic markup, LATEX, and shows, how these concepts can be brought together into practice.
Table of Contents
1. ”XML is text, but isn’t meant to be read”
2. XSL
2.1 XSLT
2.2 XPath
2.3 XSL-FO
2.4 CSS - An Alternative To XSL?
3. LATEX
4. Joining All Together
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to provide an overview of modern document engineering by exploring the transformation of XML content into various formats using XSL technologies and LATEX. The primary research focus is on how the decoupling of information from its design, through dynamic generation, enables efficient document management, styling, and multi-format publication.
- Fundamentals of XML document transformation
- Mechanisms of XSLT, XPath, and XSL-FO
- Comparison and complementarity of CSS and XSL
- The role of LATEX in structured document generation
- Practical integration for automated document workflows
Excerpt from the Book
2.4 CSS - An Alternative To XSL?
Cascading Stylesheets (CSS) are like XSL a specification of the W3C. Both can help solving the presentation problem of XML documents but use different approaches. While XSL transforms documents into others (e.g. XML → HTML), that contain the information, how to present it, CSS is used together with a document and defines, how XML elements should be formatted without changing the source.
XSL uses a XML notation, CSS uses its own. In CSS, the formatting object tree is almost the same as the source tree, and inheritance of formatting properties is on the source tree. In XSL, the formatting object tree can be radically different from the source tree, and inheritance of formatting properties is on the formatting object tree. [Kreulich, 2003]
Summary of Chapters
1. ”XML is text, but isn’t meant to be read”: Discusses the inherent feature of XML to separate content from design and introduces the need for transformation technologies.
2. XSL: Details the Extensible Stylesheet Language family, specifically covering the transformation capabilities of XSLT, the addressing mechanisms of XPath, the layout functions of XSL-FO, and a comparison with CSS.
3. LATEX: Explains the use of LATEX as a typesetting system for high-quality document output and its utility in automated document production.
4. Joining All Together: Illustrates how these concepts can be combined into a synergistic and efficient system for managing document lifecycles and corporate identity across different media.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the benefits of dynamic document generation while acknowledging the initial implementation costs versus long-term efficiency gains.
Keywords
XML, XSL, XSLT, XPath, XSL-FO, CSS, LATEX, Document Engineering, Transformation, Stylesheets, Formatting, Markup, Dynamic Content, Typesetting, W3C
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this document?
The document focuses on the principles of Document Engineering, specifically how to manage, transform, and present XML-based information effectively using modern stylesheet languages and typesetting systems.
Which technologies are analyzed as primary tools for transformation?
The analysis covers XSL (XSLT, XPath, XSL-FO), CSS, and LATEX as the central technologies for manipulating and formatting structured document content.
What is the primary goal of utilizing dynamic document generation?
The primary goal is the strict separation of content from design, which allows for more efficient document maintenance, multi-format output, and streamlined publication processes.
What scientific or technical approach is employed?
The paper employs a comparative and descriptive technical analysis, using illustrative examples and standard W3C specifications to explain how transformation processes function in practice.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines the components of XSL (Transformations, Paths, Formatting Objects), provides a comparative analysis with CSS, introduces the typesetting power of LATEX, and demonstrates their integration in a practical, unified document system.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as XML, XSLT, Document Engineering, Dynamic Content, and Automated Typesetting.
How does the author distinguish between XSL and CSS?
The author identifies that while both are W3C specifications, XSL is used for transforming documents into other formats, whereas CSS is used to define formatting for a document without modifying its underlying source structure.
What specific role does LATEX play in this document engineering framework?
LATEX serves as an alternative or complement to XSL-FO, particularly favored for its superior ability to handle complex mathematical typesetting and for generating professional print-ready formats like PS or PDF.
- Quote paper
- Diplom-Wirtschaftsinformatiker Univ. Dennis Marc Busch (Author), 2004, Dynamic Content and Format, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/44365
