Re[2]: Auto-Generated HTML and Authoring Tools

Paul Prescod <papresco@calum.csclub.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> > The problem is an ancient one: Programmer wants to generate HTML
> > automatically. The actual HTML generated depends on some formula, the
> > contents of a database, and the lunar calander.  Programmer's buddy is
> > an artist, and is going to make the HTML purty. Programmer doesn't want
> > to give the artist his raw C++/perl code, so instead creates
> > a pseudo-html thing which is almost pure html, except that it has
> > "variables" or "paramters" that the program will automatically fill
> > in with the right values.  Problem: the artist's WYSIWYG html tool
> > doesn't understand the pseudo-html extensions.  What to do?
> 
> HTML is a language based on SGML, a meta-language. SGML can define
> an infinite number of different languages, including HTML plus your
> funny extra data types. There are several HTML extensions defined
> this way. There are several WYSIWYGish tools that can work with the
> documents in this way (SoftQuad Author/Editor, Emacs PSGML, InContext
> 2, Arbortext AdeptEditor, etc.).
> 
> Despite the fact that this has always been the case and that people
> are doing this now, you might be interested to know that a subset
> of SGML (a simpler subset) is being standardized by the W3C so 
> there may one day be even more choice of editors and tools. In the
> meantime, though, the SGML tools do an excellent job.
> 
>  Paul Prescod
> 

	Howdy from Austin, TX.

	Your message was passed along to me by Dan Connolly.

	My experience might prove helpful in this thread. I've developed
	a DTD which incorporates HTML 3.2 (Wilbur) with Htmlscript, Corp.'s 
	new Jyve language. Jyve includes HTML 32. plus Htmlscript extensions.
	(see http://www.htmlscript.com/). 

	What does this mean? It means that SoftQuad's Author/Editor and
	HotMetal can be used to edit an Htmlscript template. This template
	contains traditional HTML plus the Htmlscript extensions. The
	addition of Htmlscript extensions to the HTML 3.2 spec results
	in the Jyve language. The template is interpreted by Htmlscripts
	language interpreter.

	Why did this happen? Htmlscript figured out (with a lot of prodding
	from WebTechs and from very large and successful SGML software developer
	plus a myriad of Htmlscript users) that	it would actually be benficial 
	to their users. These users are heavy users of already deployed and 
	understood tools such as Author/Editor, Arbor Text, and DynaText.

	When will this happen? The grapevine says by the end of the summer
	of 1997. 

	I hope this casts a brighter light on the dilema.

	Mark Gaither

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Mark Gaither                           1809 Azalea Dr.
WebTechs                               Cedar Park, TX USA 78613
markg@webtechs.com                     Voice: (512) 918-2832
http://www.webtechs.com/
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Received on Wednesday, 29 January 1997 23:54:24 UTC