<sources>
The <sources> component is used within a <map> block to define the values to which
the <template> will be applied. The <sources> component may enclose any combination
of components; the <map> will iterate over the final result of components inside the <sources>.
For example, a <sources> could contain a <sequence/>,
a series of user-inputs, or other numerical or text values.
Attributes and Properties
| Attribute | Type | Values |
|---|---|---|
alias = "…" | ||
indexAlias = "…" |
The <sources> component has no properties.
Example: A minimal map
In this example, the <sources> component is used with a list of arbitrary <number> components.
The <map> will apply the <template> to each instance of the data contained within
the <sources> component in turn.
The alias attribute specifies the identifier that will be applied to each of the individual
components inside <sources> as the mapping is performed. Since alias functions similarly to a name, it
is referenced by the <template> using the $name notation. It cannot, however, be referenced outside the
context of the <map>.
Example: A map with multiple sources
Multiple sources can be used. How the sources are combined can be specified in the parent <map>
using the behavior attribute. The default behavior, shown in the first graph, is combination. The second graph
illustrates the parallel behavior.
Example: alias
The alias attribute specifies the identifier that will be applied to each of the individual
components inside <sources> as the mapping is performed. Since alias functions similarly to a name,
it is referenced by the <template> using the $name notation. It cannot, however, be referenced
outside the context of the <map>.
Example: indexAlias
In this example, the alias attribute of <sources> refers to the components inside <sources> while
the indexAlias attribute refers to the iteration number as the <map> iterates throught the sources. Both
aliases are referenced by the <template> component using the $name notation.
Note the space included at the end of the <template> needed to include spaces between the sentences when rendered sequentially.