Alan Sproat

XML is just a tool, not a solution. Solutions come only when two or more entities agree to use the same format to share data. The advent of XML has given birth to a number of groups that are developing these standards. But like any committee-based decision, it takes time to agree on what exactly those standards should be. You can't always wait for the standard to be completed. You need to exchange data with your clients/suppliers/partners today, but you don't want to do the work all over again when the standard becomes available. In some cases you've had a method for sharing data that's worked for quite a while and it's not feasible or reasonable to abandon that work. XSL Translation makes it possible to leverage your early work against any related XML document. Let's assume you're already transferring data between your system and another using a format you designed... (more)