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XSLT Builder

Overview

The XSLT Builder application is used to help you build mapping documents. As there is a lot of data moved between different systems in Zynk, we typically use XSLT to map data from one system to another.

Projects

Within the XSLT Builder application, we have a concept of 'Projects'. A project consists of the following:

  • An input file
  • An XSLT document
  • An output file
  • A list of parameters to pass to the XSLT
  • A set of external XSLT documents, referenced via the 'xsl:import' or 'xsl:include' functions
  • A set of external files, passed to the XSLT by parameter

When XSLT Builder is first launched, it will automatically load a sample project, which acts as a starting point. You can either continue with the sample files provided, or load your own input file and XSLT file instead, via the 'Open' menu.

Alternatively, if you want to work on an existing transform in one of your Zynk workflows, you can load it directly into XSLT Builder by going to Open -> Project from Workflow.

The current state of your project can be saved to a file at any time, using the 'Save Project' button. This creates a .zxb file, which includes embedded copies of all the data listed above. These files can be re-loaded by going to Open -> Project.

Templates

We provide a series of project templates with the XSLT Builder to help familiarise you with the language and common practises we use. You will see the template selection screen when you start a new project.

The templates are categorised as follows:

  • XSLT Builder - A list of projects that can be used as a starting point when building your own mappings.
  • Functions - Examples that demonstrate how to use the XSLT functions we've built into Zynk.
  • Auto Mappers - A list of mappings we provide out of the box between different systems. These can still be edited to meet your specific requirements.

Zynk Workflow

If you have the XSLT Builder extension installed, when you edit an XSLT file in Zynk (via the XSLT task or the Auto Mapper task) this application will be launched. You can optionally disable this feature in Tools -> Options -> Display.

Views

Most XSLTs will produce an XML output, but this isn't always the case. XSLT Builder provides several different views for the output file:

  • XML View - The default view, which displays XML files with appropriate syntax highlighting.
  • Web View - Renders HTML data as a web page.
  • CSV View - Displays CSV data in a table. Refer to the 'Settings' section below for details on how to configure this view.
  • JSON View - Displays JSON files with appropriate syntax highlighting.
  • Messages - Displays messages the XSLT has output via the xsl:message function.

When loading an existing project, XSLT Builder will automatically switch to the most appropriate view based on the file extension of the output file.

Settings

Settings can be accessed via the 'Settings' button on the main toolbar. The following options are available:

Zynk

  • Zynk Major Version - Select which version of Zynk you have installed. In most cases, XSLT Builder will detect this automatically.
  • Zynk Data Path - The path to where your Zynk data is stored, this is typically C:\ProgramData\Zynk Software\Zynk\3.0. In most cases, XSLT Builder will detect this automatically.

CSV View

  • Separator Character - The character you use to separate your CSV output. This is usually a comma.
  • Delimiter Character - The character you use to delimit your CSV output. This is usually a double quote.
  • Includes Header - Tick this box if the CSV file contains a header row. This instructs XSLT Builder to use the first row as the column names.

File Associations

You can optionally enable the following associations with the XSLT Builder application.

  • Zynk XSLT Builder Project (.zxb) Enabled by default
  • eXtensible Markup Language (.xml)
  • eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transform (.xslt)

SSL/TLS Settings

You can optionally enable the following SSL/TLS versions with the XSLT Builder application.

  • SSL 3 Enabled by default
  • TLS 1.0 Enabled by default
  • TLS 1.1 Enabled by default
  • TLS 1.2 Enabled by default
  • TLS 1.3