Hallo all,

I want to check a DTD based XML Element value via XSLT 1.0 if it is numeric or alphanumeric. How can I do it? can I for example write

$element = number($element) and that would mean that it is numerical or not or is there another way for it?

Your attitude determines your altitude

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Your attitude determines your altitude

The clearest is probably

string(number($e)) != 'NaN'

which will be true if the value is numeric.

But if you want to impress people with your deviousness you can do

number($e) = number($e)

which is true only if $e is numeric (i.e. converts to a number other than NaN)

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

Thanks michael. I have understood the first code but can you clear me how it checks with number($e) = number($e)? Thanks for your reply.

Your attitude determines your altitude

It relies on a quirk of IEEE 759 floating point arithmetic, namely that the value NaN is considered not equal to itself.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

Thanks very much for your reply. I could understand it quite well now.

Your attitude determines your altitude

I have another question? How can I check if an XML value is Alphanumeric or just only Alpha?

Your attitude determines your altitude

If you're only in interested in ASCII, try

$x = translate($x,'0123456789','')

which will be true if there are no digits.

In 2.0 of course you can use regular expressions.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

Thanks Michael. Sorry but I have another quesiton

How can I express an XOR situation in XSLT 1.0?

Your attitude determines your altitude

Surely you're capable of working out a solution to that one yourself?

$A or $B and not($A and $B)

or did you mean bitwise XOR?

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/
Author, XSLT Programmer's Reference and XPath 2.0 Programmer's Reference

Ah it is so simple then thanks very much.

Your attitude determines your altitude