[xsl] Re: xsl:function

[Jeni Tennison <mail at jenitennison dot com>]

Hi Dave,

>> Actually I think it's pretty hard to encapsulate multiple values into
>> a single one in XSLT - how would you return a string, a number and a
>> node set without turning them all into an RTF? Unfortunately, I think
>> that supporting the return of multiple values either way would mean
>> extensions to XPath.  Perhaps it's something worth lobbying for for
>> XPath 2.0.
>
> I think it's certainly inconvenient. Another commented that it could
> be done already (while snipping my "yes, I know it can be done
> already" comment!). You comment that it's pretty hard. I guess it's
> something for further debate. :-) Certainly, my approach given the
> status quo would be to construct an RTF containing all of the
> information that I wanted to return.

Yes, you could fudge it with an RTF.  Create something like:

  <item type="boolean" />
  <item type="number">35</item>
  <item type="node-set">
     <node id="..." />
     <node id="..." />
     ...
  </item>

And then have a function of some kind that could take an item and give
you the relevant value from it.

A list data type (slated for XPath 2.0, as Mike pointed out) would
make it a lot simpler.

Cheers,

Jeni

---
Jeni Tennison
http://www.jenitennison.com/



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