8 XSLT Books That Define XML Transformation Mastery

Michael Kay brings decades of hands-on experience in XML and database technology to this detailed guide on XSLT 2.0 and XPath 2.0. You’ll learn not just the syntax but also the deeper concepts that separate effective code from merely functional scripts, such as how path expressions navigate XML structures and how XML Schema definitions can refine your stylesheets. The book’s final chapters include case studies that illuminate practical applications, offering insights that typically come from extensive real-world programming. This resource suits experienced programmers aiming to master XSLT 2.0, especially those familiar with XML and web technologies, seeking a thorough technical reference rather than introductory tutorials.

Michael Kay's decades of experience as a software designer and systems architect shine through in this updated edition, which addresses the evolving complexities of XSLT and its parsers. You learn not only the formal specification but also practical application techniques, such as writing extension functions and handling real-world transformation scenarios. For example, the new chapter on extension functions opens doors to customizing XSLT beyond standard capabilities. If you're involved in XML data manipulation or styling, this book offers both comprehensive reference material and insightful code examples that clarify XSLT's challenging aspects.

This personalized book explores the depths of XSLT programming tailored to your unique background and goals. It covers the essential concepts of XML transformations, XPath expressions, and stylesheet design, guiding you through progressively complex topics to build your mastery. The book examines practical examples and challenges relevant to your interests, ensuring a focused and meaningful learning experience. By matching content to your skill level and objectives, it reveals how to efficiently harness XSLT for elegant XML data manipulation. This tailored guide bridges foundational knowledge with advanced techniques, empowering you to confidently apply expert principles in real-world scenarios.

Drawing from over a decade of experience developing financial applications on Wall Street, Sal Mangano offers a detailed guide to mastering XSLT's complexities. You’ll learn practical solutions for transforming XML into a variety of formats like HTML and PDF, with clear explanations of both XSLT 1.0 and the enhancements in Version 2.0. The book breaks down intricate topics such as XPath 2.0 integration, complex sorting, and multi-document processing through specific code recipes, making advanced techniques accessible. This resource suits developers who want to deepen their XSLT skills beyond basics, especially those working with financial or data-intensive applications.

Doug Tidwell brings over 15 years of programming experience and deep expertise in markup languages to this thorough exploration of XSLT transformations. You’ll learn how to apply both XSLT 1.0 and the newer 2.0 standards to convert XML documents into formats like HTML and PDF, with clear examples illustrating each approach. The book dives into XSLT’s template-based methodology and its integration with XPath and XML Schema, helping you decide which version suits your projects best. If you need to understand the practical differences between XSLT versions or want a detailed toolkit for XML transformations, this book lays it out clearly and methodically.

Ian Williams brings a deep background in information design and XML technologies to demystify XSLT and XPath in this book. He zeroes in on the processing model that can confuse many developers, clarifying how XSLT uses XPath and diverges from typical programming languages. You’ll find practical examples covering templates, control structures, sorting, grouping, and working with dates and numbers, along with a case study on building a static website. This book suits developers eager to understand the nuts and bolts of transforming XML data effectively rather than those seeking superficial overviews.

This tailored book explores the art of XSLT through a focused, step-by-step learning journey designed around your unique background and goals. It covers core concepts and gradually advances into practical applications of XSLT transformations, emphasizing a clear, personalized pathway that matches your current skill level and interests. By guiding you through each stage of mastering XML transformations, this book reveals techniques to handle complex XML data with confidence and precision. You’ll find a tailored synthesis of foundational knowledge and targeted practice exercises, crafted to deepen your understanding and accelerate your learning curve. This customized approach ensures you concentrate on what matters most to your development as an XSLT practitioner, fostering efficient skill acquisition and practical expertise.

Drawing from Michiel van Otegem's deep experience as a co-founder and lead web development instructor specializing in XML and XSLT, this book walks you through mastering XSLT within 21 days. You’ll explore practical techniques such as modularizing stylesheets, using templates effectively, and handling complex data selection with XPath, all grounded in real XML processing scenarios. The chapters on recursion, computational stylesheets, and multi-file management equip you for advanced transformations, while the focus on controlling output and namespaces prepares you for robust application design. This is ideal if you want a focused, methodical path to become proficient in XSLT without wading through unrelated XML technologies.

When Andrew Whitmore first recognized how many XSLT texts assumed a developer background, he aimed to bridge that gap for students. His book guides you through XSLT fundamentals with clear, stepwise explanations and practical examples, avoiding jargon that often confounds beginners. You’ll explore topics like XML transformation basics, template matching, and stylesheet creation, all tailored to learners without deep technical experience. This book suits undergraduate or graduate students who want a gentle yet thorough introduction to XSLT, especially if prior coding knowledge is limited. While it’s concise at 84 pages, the focused chapters provide enough depth to build a solid foundation for more advanced study or practical application.

Jeni Tennison's extensive experience as an XSLT and XML consultant shines through in this detailed guide that tackles the practical challenges of implementing XSLT in real-world scenarios. You’ll learn how to employ utility templates for tasks like string searching and recursive processing, master techniques for filtering and grouping data, and build modular stylesheets that are easier to maintain and reuse. The book also explores client- and server-side processing options, offering insights into optimizing stylesheets with popular processors like MSXML and Saxon. Whether you're refining your XSLT skills or integrating XML transformations into web applications, this book provides concrete solutions grounded in actual development practice.