Re: Formats for cross-platform documentation

Subject: Re: Formats for cross-platform documentation
From: dmbrown -at- brown-inc -dot- com
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 08:37:58 -0700


Colin Ramsden wrote:

> ...As well you know, TROFF (The Text Processor for Typesetters)
> is an XML tool for text processing and as such falls under the
> general category of XML technology.


I don't know that at all. That's why I asked.

> What's your problem with my description?


I think it was wrong.

From www.troff.org:

>
> Troff was originally written by the late Joe Ossanna in about 1973,
> in assembly language for the PDP-11, to drive the Graphic Systems CAT
> typesetter. It was rewritten in C around 1975, and underwent slow but
> steady evolution until Ossanna's death late in 1977.
>
> In 1979, Brian Kernighan modified troff so that it would produce output
> for a variety of typesetters, while retaining its input specifications.
> Over the decade from 1979 to 1989, the internals have been modestly
> revised, though much of the code remains as it was when Ossanna wrote it.
>
> -- Taken from the Troff User's Manual.


From www.extropia.com (one of many "history of XML" hits on Google):

>
> ...in 1996, discussions began which focused on how to define a markup
> language with the power and extensibility of SGML but with the simplicity
> of HTML. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) decided to sponsor a group
> of SGML gurus including Jon Bosak from Sun.
>
> ...Over the next few years, XML evolved... By mid 1997 The eXtensible
> Linking Language XLL project was underway and by the summer of 1997,
> Microsoft had launched the Channel Definition Format (CDF) as one of the
> first real-world applications of XML.
>
> Finally, in 1998, the W3C approved Version 1.0 of the XML specification
> and a new language was born.


Please explain how troff (written in 1973 as a way to embed text formatting and other instructions for typesetting equipment) is related to XML (conceived in 1996 as way of identifying content elements and their interrelationships).

--David

=========================================================================

A V A I L A B L E N O W ! http://www.html-indexer.com

HTML Indexer is still the easiest way to create and maintain real indexes
for web sites, intranets, HTML Help, JavaHelp, and other HTML documents.






^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

SEE THE ALL NEW ROBOHELP X5 IN ACTION: RoboHelp X5 is a giant leap forward
in Help authoring technology, featuring Word 2003 support, Content Management, Multi-Author support, PDF and XML support and much more! http://www.macromedia.com/go/techwrldemo
COMPONENTONE DOC-TO-HELP 7 PROFESSIONAL: From a single set of Word documents, create online Help and printed documentation. New version offers yearly subscription service, Natural Search, Modular TOC Utility, Image Map Editor, Theme Designer, Context String Editor, plus more. http://www.componentone.com/doctohelp .

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Follow-Ups:

Previous by Author: Re: Formats for cross-platform documentation?
Next by Author: Re: Real-world .... as an adjective
Previous by Thread: Re: Noise abatement (was RE: ADD/ADHD Problems and Tech Writing/Editing Careers
Next by Thread: Re: Formats for cross-platform documentation


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads