Hi,

>   Are there any advantages with  unabbreviated syntax ?

Faster to type.

>   e.g. When transforming, does it process faster? Is it more 
> standards compliant?

Nope.
 
>   Below is an example of unabbreviated syntax
> 
>   Abbreviated syntax: <xsl:value-of select="@number"/>
> 
>   Unabbreviated syntax:  <xsl:value-of select="attribute::number"/>

They're exactly the same.

Cheers,

Jarno - Velvet Acid Christ: The Dark Inside Me

 XSL-List info and archive:  http://www.mulberrytech.com/xsl/xsl-list