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XSLT Tutorial

XSLT Elements: xsl:choose / xsl:when / xsl:otherwise

xsl:choose / xsl:when / xsl:otherwise

The xsl:if element was pretty restrictive in that it only allows for one test.  The xsl:choose element allows multiple choices in a query.  

<xsl:choose>
    <xsl:when test=boolean expression> 
        template body
    </xsl:when>
    <xsl:otherwise>
        template body
    </xsl:otherwise>
</xsl:choose>

xsl:choose

• The xsl:choose element is a conditional template which defines a choice between alternatives.
  
• It is similar to if-then-else statements, switch statements or select statements found in other languages.
  
• There are no attributes for the xsl:choose statement.

xsl:when

• The number of xsl:when instructions is limitless.
  
• There must always be at least one in the body of the xsl:choose element.
  
• The criteria for the test expression are the same rules found in the xsl:if element.
  
• The first xsl:when statement met will be processed.  Thereafter it breaks out of the xsl:choose conditional template.

xsl:otherwise

• If none of the above xsl:when criteria are met, then follow the xsl:otherwise instructions.
  
• It is optional in the body of the xsl:choose element.
  
• It has to be the last child of the xsl:choose element.

 Open Worksheet 6 for an xsl:choose example

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