Interaction between force-page-count and initial-page-number

The editors,

I am seeking clarification of the relationship between the 
force-page-number and initial-page-number properties in certain 
circumstances: specifically, when the value of force-page-number is 
"auto" and the value of initial-page-number on a following page-sequence 
is either "auto-even" or "auto-odd".  Apart from the descriptions of the 
properties, I found no other discussion about the interaction of these 
properties.

The Rec says of force-page-number:auto, 'If there is no next 
page-sequence or if the value of its initial-page-number is "auto" do 
not force any page.'  Should that read, '...the value of its 
initial-page-number is "auto", "auto-even" or "auto-odd"...'?  If not, 
some questions of behaviour arise.

Say, for example, the last generated page of a force-page-number:auto 
page-sequence has an odd number, and the following page-sequence has an 
initial-page-number value of "auto-odd".  The page-sequence queries the 
following page-sequence for first first page number.  The second 
page-sequence, in turn, queries the first page sequence for its last 
page number.  Who goes first?

Because the 1st page sequence is the only source of information on 
actual generated page numbers, the following scenario seems reasonable. 
  The 1st sequence queries the 2nd, passing its current generated last 
page number.  The 2nd then uses this number to generate a response. 
Let's say the generated last number is 11.

1st p-s: What's your 1st number (my last is 11)?

The 2nd calculates that it's first number must be 13, based on 
initial-page-number:auto-odd.

2nd p-s: 13

The 1st p-s now forces a blank page, numbered 12.  If it were to query 
again, based on the new last page number, the dialogue would go

1st p-s: 1st number (12)?
2nd p-s: 13

and the extra dialogue would be unnecessary.  Is this the intention? 
This approach avoids "holes" in the page numbering, but I note that the 
combination of force-page-count:odd and a following 
initial-page-number:auto-odd will force a such a hole.

Whatever the case, it would be worthwhile adding a clarification to the Rec.

Peter
-- 
Peter B. West <http://www.powerup.com.au/~pbwest/resume.html>

Received on Sunday, 8 February 2004 07:59:16 UTC