XSL Transformation is a computer language used for transforming XML documents into other formats such as HTML, PDF, or plain text. The pronunciation of XSL is /ɛks ɛs ɛɫ/, where the letter X is pronounced as "eks", the letter S as "es", and the letter L as "el". The word Transformation is pronounced as /trænsfɔrˈmeɪʃən/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The correct spelling is essential for proper communication and understanding of the meaning of the word in the context of computer programming.
XSL transformation, also known as XSLT, stands for Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation. It is a powerful language and technology used for transforming XML (Extensible Markup Language) documents into different structures or formats. XSLT is a fundamental component of the XSL family of languages, along with XPath and XSL Formatting Objects (XSL-FO).
In simpler terms, XSL transformation is the process of using an XSLT stylesheet to convert an XML document from one form to another. It operates on the structure and content of XML data, allowing developers to extract, modify, rearrange, or present the information in a desired format. This format can be HTML, XHTML, PDF, plain text, or any other markup language or document type.
XSLT utilizes XPath, a language for navigating and selecting elements within XML documents, to define patterns and rules for the transformation process. It enables developers to specify templates and rules to search for, manipulate, and transform XML elements, attributes, and values. XSLT can handle complex operations such as sorting, grouping, filtering, and merging XML data.
The transformation is done by applying the XSLT stylesheet to the XML source document. The stylesheet contains a set of rules, called templates, that define how the input XML is transformed and mapped into the desired output format. XSLT supports various functions and operators to perform calculations, string manipulation, conditional branching, looping, and other operations required for the transformation.
XSL transformation is widely used in web development, particularly in the creation of dynamic websites, content management systems, document conversion, data integration, and web services. It provides a flexible and efficient way to transform XML data into different representations, ensuring interoperability and seamless display or exchange of information across platforms and applications.
The term "XSL transformation" is a combination of two components: XSL and transformation.
1. XSL: XSL stands for "Extensible Stylesheet Language". It is a family of languages used for transforming and styling XML documents. XSL consists of three major components: XSLT (XSL Transformations), XPath (XML Path Language), and XSL-FO (XSL Formatting Objects).
2. Transformation: The word "transformation" in this context refers to the process of converting an XML document into another document format, such as HTML or PDF. XSLT is a language specifically designed for XML transformations.
Considering the etymology of each component, "XSL" is derived from "EXtensible Stylesheet Language", which suggests its purpose as a language for creating stylesheets and transformations.