?? Editing XML with XSLT (Transforming XML)

XSLT is designed to transform XML documents, which means it reads an input XML and produces a new XML (or other formats) with changes — essentially “editing” by generating a modified output.

How to Edit XML Using XSLT

• You match the parts of the original XML you want to keep or change.

• Use <xsl:template> to specify new content or modifications.

• Use <xsl:copy> or <xsl:copy-of> to copy nodes you want unchanged.

• You cannot modify XML in place; XSLT creates a new output document.

Basic Pattern: Copy with Changes

<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0">  <!-- Identity template: copies everything as-is -->  <xsl:template match="@*|node()">    <xsl:copy>      <xsl:apply-templates select="@*|node()"/>    </xsl:copy>  </xsl:template>  <!-- Template to edit specific element -->  <xsl:template match="price">    <price>      <!-- Increase price by 10 -->      <xsl:value-of select=". + 10"/>    </price>  </xsl:template></xsl:stylesheet>

Example Input XML

<product>  <name>Widget</name>  <price>50</price></product>

Output After Transformation (Price increased by 10)

<product>  <name>Widget</name>  <price>60</price></product>

Explanation

• The identity template copies everything unchanged.

• The template matching <price> overrides the copy and outputs the new value (old price + 10).

• This way, you "edit" just the part you want.

Summary

• XSLT creates a new XML document reflecting edits.

• Use identity template to copy unchanged parts.

• Override templates for nodes you want to change.

• You can do calculations, add/remove elements, and restructure XML.

Would you like a complete XML + XSLT example file to try this transformation yourself?