[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [Elist Home]
Subject: DOCBOOK-APPS: SGML vs XML
[Disclaimer, preamble; The following is a brief
summary of some points
I am trying to clarify, these may be
incorrect. I disclaim their validity.
I would appreacheate some comments regarding
this]
I know this is a well contested argument, but this
is not a troll or anything like that,
I also understand that there is probably no
definitive answer.
I am creating a document on how to set up an SGML
editing suite for Windows or
Unix for the average computer beginner. I
have begun to wonder whether I should
be encouraging the use of SGML instead of opting
for XML because I would not
want to disadvantage a group of people by getting
them into using SGML Docbook
instead of XML DocBook. Please bear in mind that I
desire to:
Create printable output and online output in the
following formats:
HTML, DVI, PS, PDF, RTF, TeX
(TeX was included, although I understand this can
only be a pseudo-tex,
not real TeX?, but a version which is used by
JadeTeX as a sort-of
translation format?)
Validation would be performed by onsgmls for both
formats
For SGML I would use openjade for the HTML, RTF and
pseudo-TeX, then the JadeTeX macro pack for the pseudo-tex
to pdf or dvi, then dvi to
ps, and maybe pstopdf.
For XML I would use xsltproc for the HTML and FO
output
FOP for FO to PDF, MIF, PCL or plain text. JFOR for
FO to
RTF. Or passiveTeX to create PDF output from
FO then pdf2ps to
create PS?
My advantages and disadvantages to going XML are as
follows:
[Note, this is XML and SGML primarily in the
context of DocBook]
Advantages:
XML is the "wave of the future", we can either ride
it or sink?
XML is more Internet oriented, the future is more
Internet oriented?
XML is simpler and perhaps less cumbersome than
SGML?
XML is easier to write tools for so the future will
bring a bounty of them?
XML implements Unicode which is rapidly becoming
the new standard?
The SGML DocBook will eventually
dissappear.
Disadvantages:
SGML is a maturer technology hence is regarded as
better?
The SGML DocBook toolchain is easier to configure
and setup?
It is much easier to create printable output using
the SGML toolchain?
The XML tools are mostly written in JAVA which is
slow?
There are tools available to convert SGML to XML
anyway so this is no bother?
The DocBook XML syntax is so similar to the DocBook
SGML syntax
that conversion would be no bother?
So it does actually seem as if the XML option would
be viable, but
perhaps a tutorial for both would be
better.
Regards
PKL
|
[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [Elist Home]
Powered by eList eXpress LLC