CODEWITHSUNDEEP
xsltparameters
bouncingHippo
bouncingHippo

Reputation: 6040

difference between xsl:param and xsl:variable

I am considering using either <xsl:param> or <xsl:variable> when defining an <xsl:template name="myTemplate"> that will be called in another XSL file.

Legacy code seems to use xsl:variable when being used in <xsl:template match="legacyTemplate">.

So what's the difference between xsl:param and xsl:variable when using it in <xsl:template name="myTemplate">?

Upvotes: 39

Views: 38726

Answers (1)

Jainendra
Jainendra

Reputation: 25153

The difference is that the value of an xsl:param could be set outside the context in which it is declared. For example, see:

<xsl:template ...>
   <xsl:param name="p" select="'x'" />
   <xsl:variable name="v" select="'y'" />
...

then you know that $v will always give you the string 'y'. But for $p the string 'x' is only a default: you will see a different value if the template is invoked with either xsl:apply-templates or xsl:call-template which contains an instruction such as:
<xsl:with-param name="p" select="'not x'" />

<xsl:param> may also be used outside xsl:template, at the top level in the stylesheet. The value of such a parameter may be set when the XSLT processor is called. How this is done depends on the processor and whether you call it from the command line or by program.

Upvotes: 68

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