Comparison of the three approaches

Approach One uses a standalone tool to produce HTML from XML.
- Advantage: no prerequisites for webserver or browser.
- Disadvantage: need to remember to run the tool when the XML is altered.
Approach Two gets the webserver to run a program to produce HTML from the XML.
- Advantage: HTML is always up-to-date.
- Disadvantage: you need a webserver that can run a program.
- Disadvantage: may be some delay whilst the HTML is being produced.
Approach Three gets the browser to process the XML.
- Advantage: HTML is always up-to-date.
- Disadvantage: an IE5.5 visitor will need to install a new MSXML and modify IE5.5.
- Disadvantage: browsers used by most visitors are not modern browsers.