SGML output

As I mentioned previously, I've started work on direct output of LaTeX from SDF and expect to have something ready within a few days. Would it also be useful to output SGML (ready for SGMLTools)? If so, would it be better for me to do the SGML output first?

I'd personally favour doing SGML first for a few reasons:

• SDF already has a HTML output driver and adapting this for SGML should be very easy and much quicker than writing a LaTeX driver, particularly as my knowledge of SGML is much better than my knowledge of LaTeX
• SDF gains a new output format (SGML) and all the output formats supported by SGMLTools. Furthermore, it will indirectly benefit from any enhancements/fixes added to SGMLTools.
• If people prefer the output generated by SGMLTools for a particular target format (e.g. HTML), its easy to generate it.

Furthermore, if SDF is initially selected but people decide to migrate to an SGML-based tool at a later date (for whatever reason), migration should be easy.

>From my perspective, converting SDF to SGML will take me less time
and give SDF more benefit. It also buys me a bit of time to get a more fully-functional LaTeX driver ready. However, if you'd rather that I remain focussed on direct LaTeX generation, I'll stick with that.

Any thoughts?

Ian. Received on Wed Aug 13 05:26:13 1997