Using XML and XSL Content
Dynamic content can also be created using Exstensible Markup Language (XML) and Exstensible Stylesheet Language (XSL). Connect allows you to use either language construct to create customized dynamic content.
XML Example
Using XML and XSL Transformations (XSLT), you can create dynamic content without needing to configure your web server to support dynamic pages.
For example, considerthe following XML fields and values:
|
Field |
Value |
|
FirstName |
Janine |
|
LastName |
Smith |
|
Address1 |
1885 California St |
|
Address2 |
Suite 102 |
|
City |
Redwood City |
|
State |
CA |
|
Zipcode |
94063 |
|
Account |
JanineSmith |
|
PurchaseDate |
11/07/2008 |
and the following external XML file:
<ExternalXml><SHIPPING TYPE="UPGRADE" CARRIER="FEDEX" TRACKNUMBER="1Z53X86X0325648075"><DATE DAY="14" MONTH="05" YEAR="2000" /></SHIPPING><ITEMLIST><ITEM NUMBER="1" QTY="1" PRODUCTDESC="Digital Camera" PRICE="100" /><ITEM NUMBER="2" QTY="1" PRODUCTDESC="32-mb Flash" PRICE="200" /></ITEMLIST></ExternalXml>The resulting text message is:
Dear Janine, Thank you for your order on 09/07/2011 for Qty Product Description Item Number----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Digital Camera 100 1 32-mb Flash 200-----------------------------------------------------------------On Friday September 8, we shipped these items to:Janinej Smith1885 California StRedwood City, CA 94063via Federal Express after we upgraded shipping service for you.For your reference, use the following number to track your package: 1Z53X86X0325648075. Please note that tracking information may not be available immediately.To see the latest information about your order, visit Your Account at http://www.worldwide.com/JanineSmithThank you for shopping at worldwide.com.XSL Example
Here’s an example of an XSL stylesheet that results in the e-mail shown in the XML Example:
<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0"><xsl:template match="/"><html><body><pre>Dear <xsl:value-of select="//FirstName" />,Thank you for your order on<xsl:value-of select="//PurchaseDate/DATE/@DAY" />/<xsl:value-of select="//PurchaseDate/DATE/@MONTH" />/<xsl:value-of select="//PurchaseDate/DATE/@YEAR" />for Qty Product Description Item Number ---------------------------------------------------<xsl:call-template name="ITEMLISTING" />---------------------------------------------------On Friday September 8, we shipped these items to:<xsl:value-of select="//FirstName" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="//LastName" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="//Address1" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="//Address2" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="//City" />,<xsl:value-of select="//State" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="//Zipcode" />via<xsl:choose><xsl:when test="//SHIPPING/@CARRIER = 'FEDEX'">Federal Express after we upgraded shipping service for you.</xsl:when><xsl:otherwise>UPS Ground (3-7 business days).</xsl:otherwise></xsl:choose>For your reference, use the following number to track your package: 1Z53X86X0325648075.<xsl:value-of select="//SHIPPING/@TRACKNUMBER" />Please note that tracking information may not be available immediately. To see the latest information about your order, visit Your Account at http://www.worldwide.com/<xsl:value-of select="//Account" />Thank you for shopping at worldwide.com.</pre></body></html></xsl:template><xsl:template name="ITEMLISTING"><xsl:for-each select="//ITEMLIST/ITEM">#<xsl:value-of select="@QTY" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="@PRODUCTDESC" /><xsl:text /><xsl:value-of select="@PRICE" /></xsl:for-each></xsl:template></xsl:stylesheet>