To end the 2013 User Conference on a fun and competitive note, Alvin Chao and Jason Aller, two Cascade Server veterans, face-off to find out once and for all--which is faster? XSLT or Velocity?

1. Velocity vs. XSLTVelocity vs. XSLT
Alvin Chao – James Madison UniversityAlvin Chao – James Madison University
Jason Aller – University of California Davis – School of LawJason Aller – University of California Davis – School of Law

2. The Eternal debate…The Eternal debate…
http://www.hannonhill.com
/news/blog/2011/the-eternal-debate-velocity-or-xslt.html

3. Common Elements - XMLCommon Elements - XML
Traversal MethodsTraversal Methods
XSLTXSLT
<xsl:apply-templates select=“/path/to/node[conditional]”/><xsl:apply-templates select=“/path/to/node[conditional]”/>
<xsl:template match=“node”/><xsl:template match=“node”/>
VelocityVelocity
$_XPathTool.selectNodes($contentRoot, “/path/to/node”)$_XPathTool.selectNodes($contentRoot, “/path/to/node”)
$_XPathTool.selectSingleNode($contentRoot,$_XPathTool.selectSingleNode($contentRoot,
“/path/to/node”)“/path/to/node”)
$contentRoot.getChild(“path”).getChild(“to”).getChild(“node”$contentRoot.getChild(“path”).getChild(“to”).getChild(“node”
))
$contentRoot.getChildren()$contentRoot.getChildren()

4. Common Elements -Common Elements -
Syntax/FunctionalitySyntax/Functionality
VariablesVariables
#set ($myVar = “content value”)#set ($myVar = “content value”)
<xsl:variable name=“<xsl:variable name=“myVarmyVar”” select=select=““content valuecontent value””>>
LoopsLoops
#foreach ($item in $items) Output Content #end#foreach ($item in $items) Output Content #end
<xsl:for-each>Output Content</xsl:for-each><xsl:for-each>Output Content</xsl:for-each>
Conditional StatementsConditional Statements
#if ($value == “value”) Output Content #end#if ($value == “value”) Output Content #end
<xsl:if test=“$value = ‘value’”> Output Content </xsl:if><xsl:if test=“$value = ‘value’”> Output Content </xsl:if>
DatesDates

5. Velocity BenefitsVelocity Benefits
Based on Java – can leverage Java commands like .contains,Based on Java – can leverage Java commands like .contains,
and .replaceand .replace
Doesn’t need Xalan JavaScript extension to format dates /Doesn’t need Xalan JavaScript extension to format dates /
Date difference calculation easierDate difference calculation easier
Conditional closing tagsConditional closing tags
Extended Math /Array /real variablesExtended Math /Array /real variables
Ability to break out of loops #breakAbility to break out of loops #break
Script like syntax(php, JavaScript familiar)Script like syntax(php, JavaScript familiar)

6. XSLT BenefitsXSLT Benefits
Widespread use outside of Cascade(wealth of tutorials andWidespread use outside of Cascade(wealth of tutorials and
books available)books available)
Easier null checkingEasier null checking
Easy recursive callsEasy recursive calls
Not as many $signs and _sNot as many $signs and _s
Render SpeedRender Speed
Testing code outside of Cascade ServerTesting code outside of Cascade Server
Advanced editors outside of Cascade Server - OxygenXMLAdvanced editors outside of Cascade Server - OxygenXML

7. Head to Head ComparisonHead to Head Comparison
Attribute Velocity XSLT
Offline
Development/Testing
Hard to do this, but you
can setup some basic
offline testing (Eclipse
install of Velocity Tools)
Easy to do this may
require some external
tools (Oxygen XML,
XML Spear)
Familiarity of Language Script language, like
JavaScript, php, etc…
XSLT, may be a
learning curve
Flow Logical structured
language flow from top
to bottom
Template based
structure, requires
knowledge of the data
Including within formats Now available in
Cascade Server 7.6!
Easily done with
imports
Location of Xpath Harder to understand if
not familiar with
XPATH(Chrome XML
View plugin)
Those familiar with
XML will know Xpath,
Tools like Oxygen
XML or XML Spear
can help with this

8. Battlefield for TimingsBattlefield for Timings
(Server specs)(Server specs)
Physical machine = Dell Optiplex 745 2.4ghz Intel Core 2Physical machine = Dell Optiplex 745 2.4ghz Intel Core 2
Duo w /4GB RAM running Windows 2008 ServerDuo w /4GB RAM running Windows 2008 Server
Cascade 7.6Cascade 7.6
JVM Max heap 1024, Min 768JVM Max heap 1024, Min 768
Cascade Total ram = 742MBCascade Total ram = 742MB
Restarted server, ran all 3 Velocity rounds, then retested forRestarted server, ran all 3 Velocity rounds, then retested for
cached timing, restarted again and ran all 3 XSLT roundscached timing, restarted again and ran all 3 XSLT rounds
then retested for cached timingsthen retested for cached timings

9. Round 1 – Large Tabular DataRound 1 – Large Tabular Data
During this round contestants were asked to take a large setDuring this round contestants were asked to take a large set
of person data and sort this data into four equal lengthof person data and sort this data into four equal length
column listings by first name.column listings by first name.
The dataset is an XML block with 1000 entries. Columns areThe dataset is an XML block with 1000 entries. Columns are
created via YUI Grid .css versus tables to produce validcreated via YUI Grid .css versus tables to produce valid
XHTML and not use tables for layout. Data was generatedXHTML and not use tables for layout. Data was generated
using the Vulcano tool:using the Vulcano tool: http://http://www.datagenerator.orgwww.datagenerator.org
Data format: ID, Name, email, phone, date, websiteData format: ID, Name, email, phone, date, website

10. Round 1 TimingsRound 1 Timings
Velocity XSLT
Initial Runtime (ms) 3635ms 5957ms
Cached Runtime 2032ms 3873ms

11. Round 2 – Search Speed – LargeRound 2 – Search Speed – Large
DataData
Contestants were asked to search the works of ShakespeareContestants were asked to search the works of Shakespeare
in XML format for the provided search term of pirate.in XML format for the provided search term of pirate.
Tragically for Alvin it was determined that the bard neverTragically for Alvin it was determined that the bard never
made mention of Ninjas, while Pirates were mentioned in amade mention of Ninjas, while Pirates were mentioned in a
number of plays.number of plays.

13. Round 2 - TimingsRound 2 - Timings
Velocity XSLT
Initial Runtime 8409ms 7644ms
Cached Runtime 2135ms 1928ms

14. Final Round (3) – Tumblr RSSFinal Round (3) – Tumblr RSS
FeedFeed
Contestants were asked to render an external RSS feed fromContestants were asked to render an external RSS feed from
a Tumblr account –a Tumblr account – http://velocityversusxslt.tumlbr.comhttp://velocityversusxslt.tumlbr.com

16. Round 3 TimingsRound 3 Timings
Velocity XSLT
Initial Runtime 350ms 401ms
Cached Runtime 215ms 200ms

17. Velocity ResourcesVelocity Resources
Only 2 book on Velocity:Only 2 book on Velocity:
Pro Jakarta Velocity -Pro Jakarta Velocity -
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Jakarta-Velocity-Professional-Expert/dp/159059410X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Jakarta-Velocity-Professional-Expert/dp/159059410X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=
jakartajakarta
Matering Apache VelocityMatering Apache Velocity httphttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471457949://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471457949//
Velocity User’s Guide:Velocity User’s Guide: http://velocity.apache.org/engine/devel/user-http://velocity.apache.org/engine/devel/user-guide.htmlguide.html
Velocity Cookbook on github:Velocity Cookbook on github: httpshttps://github.com/hannonhill/Velocity-://github.com/hannonhill/Velocity-CookbookCookbook
Presentations:Presentations:
2010 User’s Conference -2010 User’s Conference -
http://www.hannonhill.com/news/conference/2010/videos/Velocity-vs-http://www.hannonhill.com/news/conference/2010/videos/Velocity-vs-XSLT.htmlXSLT.html
HH Blog posting -HH Blog posting - httphttp
://www.hannonhill.com/news/blog/2011/the-eternal-debate-velocity-or-://www.hannonhill.com/news/blog/2011/the-eternal-debate-velocity-or-
xslt.htmlxslt.html
Velocity Webinar http://www.hannonhill.com/products/demos/velocity-Velocity Webinar http://www.hannonhill.com/products/demos/velocity-
functionality-overview-webinar-video.htmlfunctionality-overview-webinar-video.html

18. XSLT ResourcesXSLT Resources
Hannon Hill XSLT Workbook on githubHannon Hill XSLT Workbook on github
https://github.com/hannonhill/XSLT-Workbookhttps://github.com/hannonhill/XSLT-Workbook
XSLT by Doug Tidwell and published by O’ReillyXSLT by Doug Tidwell and published by O’Reilly
XSLT Cookbook, 2nd Edition by Sal Mangano andXSLT Cookbook, 2nd Edition by Sal Mangano and
published by O’Reillypublished by O’Reilly
OxygenXML http://www.oxygenxml.com/OxygenXML http://www.oxygenxml.com/

19. And the winner is…And the winner is…
The clear winner is you, because you get to choose whichThe clear winner is you, because you get to choose which
language to use by default, but you retain the option tolanguage to use by default, but you retain the option to
switch when doing so makes sense.switch when doing so makes sense.
But, for those who need a victor – go take our poll – VelocityBut, for those who need a victor – go take our poll – Velocity
or XSLT here:or XSLT here: