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  • Chapter 1: Getting Started with Stylus Studio
  • Chapter 2: Editing and Querying XML
  • Chapter 3: Converting Non-XML Files to XML
  • Chapter 4: Working with XSLT
  • Chapter 5: Creating XSLT Using the XSLT Mapper
  • Chapter 6: Debugging Stylesheets
  • Chapter 7: Defining XML Schemas
  • Chapter 8: Defining Document Type Definitions
  • Chapter 9: Writing XPath Expressions
  • Chapter 10: Working with XQuery in Stylus Studio
  • Chapter 11: Composing Web Service Calls
  • Chapter 12: Accessing Relational Data as XML
  • Chapter 13: Extending Stylus Studio
  • Chapter 14: Stylus Studio GUI Reference

    • Home > Online Product Documentation > Table of Contents > Processing Source Nodes

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    Processing Source Nodes

    You can use any of the following to combine nodes or process nodes in the source document and map the result to a node in the target document:

    XPath Function Blocks

    Stylus Studio supports standard XPath functions defined by the W3C. This section describes how to work with function blocks in XSLT mapper and covers the following topics:

    Parts of a Function Block

    Function blocks are drawn as a purple block with an italic " f" at its center, and connectors, called ports, placed along the block's border. Input ports (one or more depending on the function) on the left, the flow port at the top, and the output port on the right:

    Figure 228. Function Block

    Input ports

    Input ports are on the left side of the function block. The number and definition of input ports varies from function to function. To specify a value for an input port, you can

    Flow port

    Flow ports on the top of function blocks are generally used only when a function is used in a direct link between a source and target node.

    Output port

    The output port is on the right side of the function block. You use the output port to map the function result directly to a target structure element or attribute, or to an IF, condition, or another function block.

    Types of Function Blocks

    The XPath functions available in XSLT mapper include the following:

    XPath Mathematical Functions

    In order to simplify the graphical presentation in the XSLT mapper, the following XPath mathematical functions are not graphically represented:

    You can easily express these functions by typing them in the Value dialog box displayed when you double-click an input port.

    Creating a Function Block

    To create a function block:
    1. In the XSLT editor, in the Mapper tab, right-click mapper canvas.
    2. In the shortcut menu that appears, click XPath Functions and slide to the submenu.
    3. Click the function you want to use. Stylus Studio displays a function block for the function you selected.

    Deleting a Function Block

    To delete a function block:

    Select it and press the Delete key.

    If the function block is part of a link, deleting the function block also deletes the link.

    Logical Operators

    The Stylus Studio XSLT mapper allows you to graphically define the following types of conditions:

    All condition blocks have two input ports and a single output port, as shown in this example of a greater than block.

    Figure 229. Greater Than Block

    You can map the return port to a target structure element or attribute, or to the input port on an XSLT instruction, XPath function, or another condition block.

    Setting a Text Value

    You can set text values for target structure elements and attributes. You might want to do this if you are composing a mapping whose target structure contains an element or attribute that requires a fixed value, instead of using a value gathered from an input XML document.

    Example

    Here is the XSLT code Stylus Studio generates for the Title element when a text value is specified for it: 

    <Book>
               
	<Title>Confederacy of Dunces</Title>
               
</Book>

    Stylus Studio displays a red letter T for nodes for which you define a text value:

    Figure 230. Symbols for Nodes With Text Values

    There are two ways to set a text value:

    How to Set a Text Value on the Mapper Canvas

    To set a text value on the mapper canvas:
    1. Right-click on the mapper canvas.

    The shortcut menu appears.

    2. Select Text Block from the shortcut menu.

    The text block appears on the mapper.

    Figure 231. Text Block

    Double-click the text block to display the Value dialog box.

    Figure 232. Value Dialog Box

    Tip

     

    You can also display the Value dialog box by selecting Properties from the text block shortcut menu (right click).

    3. Type a value and click OK.
    4. Drag a link from the text block's output port to the target node to which you want to assign the text value.

    Note

     

    Unless the text block is linked to another block (such as a logical operator or an XPath function), Stylus Studio removes it from the mapper canvas if you leave and then return to the Mapper tab. In this case, a red T is displayed next to the target node's name.

    How to Set a Text Value on the Target Node

    To set a text value on a target node:
    1. Right-click the node for which you want to set the text value.

    The shortcut menu appears.

    2. Select Set Text Value from the shortcut menu.

    The Value dialog box appears.

    Figure 233. Value Dialog Box

    3. Type the string you want to use as the text value and click OK.

    Defining Java Functions in the XSLT Mapper

    You can write your own Java functions and use them when you map nodes.

    To define your own functions:
    1. Ensure that a Java virtual machine is running locally.
    2. Create the class file for your function. See About Adding Java Class Files for more help with this step.
    3. Display the Mapper tab in the XSLT editor, if necessary.
    4. Right-click the mapper canvas.
    5. In the pop-up menu that appears, select Java Functions > Register Java Extension Class.
    6. In the Java Class Browser dialog box that appears, navigate to and select the Java class that provides your function.
    7. Click OK in the Java Class Browser dialog box.

    Now when you select Java Functions from the mapper short-cut menu, the list of functions includes the function you registered.

    About Adding Java Class Files

    The class file must be in your CLASSPATH environment variable or in the Stylus Studio ClassPath. To add it to the Stylus Studio ClassPath, select Tools > Options from the Stylus Studio menu bar. In the Options dialog box, expand Application Settings and click Java Virtual Machine.

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