create template based on test results

[Sparkie]

For historical reasons we have program specs using one lot of XML tags that need to be transformed into a different set of tags for inclusion in our documentation. I could hand code each, but some are very large and they will change over time (updates, etc).

I need to create an XSLT file that tests elements and their attributes to determine how to display them in the documentation. How can I test and then output the test result to a new template which I can then call ? I need these to be separate as each program spec will be formatted slightly differently. Is this possible or is there a better way of doing it?

 

 

[Martin Honnen]

It sounds a bit as if you want to define a schema for your class of XML documents and then validate XML instance documents with a validating parser against the schema.

[Sparkie]

Hi,

apologies for the ignorance, but I am pretty new to this. So 1. what does the above mean, and 2. how?

 

PS. I can currently do the test:

<xsl:template match="foobar">

<xsl:choose>

<xsl:when attribute="@attr='true'">

<xsl:call-template name="this_version" />

</xsl:when>

<xsl:otherwise>

<xsl:call-template name="other_version" />

</xsl:otherwise>

</xsl:choose>

</xsl:template>

My problem is instead of having the call here, I need it where I can format it to display properly. My problem now is how to call when I am formatting and/or what to do here instead of call. Can I save it to a new template which I can call later when I need it? i.e.

<h2>Mt program spec</h2> <dl>

<dt><xsl:call-template name="other_version"/></dt>

<dd><xsl:call-template name="rest_of_spec"/></dd>

</dl>

[Sparkie]

OK, I now have a fully functioning XSLT that transforms the 1st lot of XML into strings of plain text. Does anyone know how I can now transform that plain text into pretty XML (for inclusion into the output PDF)?