Learning XQuery 2

bad.xqy

(: I assume local mathematical functions
   functionA, functionB, and functionC are
   defined above :)

(: this is too procedural :)
let $accumulator := 1
let $accumulator := functionA($accumulator)
let $accumulator := functionB($accumulator)
let $accumulator := functionC($accumulator)
return
  $accumulator

better.xqy

(: now you're thinking with functions :)
functionC( functionB( functionA( 1 )))

maintainable.xqy

(: maybe more maintainable, 
   especially when IF and FLWOR statements 
   get mixed in :)
functionC (
  functionB (
    functionA (
      1
    )
  )
)