Re: Microsoft's XSL Proposal
James Clark (jjc@jclark.com)
Tue, 16 Sep 1997 12:18:10 +0700
Russell Chamberlain wrote:
> 7) Has a clearly-defined conflict-resolution mechanism
>
> Some formatting environments specify that the "first"
> applicable style in the stylesheet is always the one to
> be applied. A stylesheet's behaviour should not change
> based on the location of a style in the stylesheet's
> source file. XSL will let authors organize their styles
> in any way they see fit, with no effect on behaviour.
>
> Some environments also allow _multiple_ styles to be
> applied. Which ones, and in what order? Yuck!
> XSL explicitly states that at most a single pattern
> will be chosen. Good idea.
Only one construction rule can apply, but multiple style rules can
apply. However, XSL does have a (hopefully) well defined conflic
resolution mechanism for dealing with this, and it doesn't depend on the
order of the rules in the stylesheet.
James