SGML ==>
Standard Generalized Markup Language
<language, text> (SGML) A generic markup language for representing
documents. SGML is an International Standard that describes the relationship
between a document's content and its structure. SGML allows document-based
information to be shared and re-used across applications and computer platforms
in an open, vendor-neutral format. SGML is sometimes compared to SQL, in that it
enables companies to structure information in documents in an open fashion, so
that it can be accessed or re-used by any SGML-aware application across multiple
platforms.
SGML is defined in "ISO 8879:1986 Information processing -- Text and office
systems -- Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML)", an ISO standard
produced by JTC 1/SC 18 and amended by "Amendment 1:1988".
Unlike other common document file formats that represent both content and
presentation, SGML represents a document's content data and structure
(interrelationships among the data). Removing the presentation from content
establishes a neutral format. SGML documents and the information in them can
easily be re-used by publishing and non-publishing applications.
SGML identifies document elements such as titles, paragraphs, tables, and
chapters as distinct objects, allowing users to define the relationships between
the objects for structuring data in documents. The relationships between
document elements are defined in a Document Type Definition (DTD). This is
roughly analogous to a collection of field definitions in a database. Once a
document is converted into SGML and the information has been 'tagged', it
becomes a database-like document. It can be searched, printed or even
programmatically manipulated by SGML-aware applications.
Companies are moving their documents into SGML for several reasons:
Reuse - separation of content from presentation facilitates multiple delivery
formats like CD-ROM and electronic publishing.
Portability - SGML is an international, platform-independent, standard based on
ASCII text, so companies can safely store their documents in SGML without being
tied to any one vendor.
Interchange - SGML is a core data standard that enables SGML-aware applications
to inter-operate and share data seamlessly.
A central SGML document store can feed multiple processes in a company, so
managing and updating information is greatly simplified. For example, when an
aeroplane is delivered to a customer, it comes with thousands of pages of
documentation. Distributing these on paper is expensive, so companies are
investigating publishing on CD-ROM. If a maintenance person needs a guide for
adjusting a plane's flight surfaces, a viewing tool automatically assembles the
relevant information from the document repository as a complete document. SGML
can be used to define attributes to information stored in documents such as
security levels.
There are few clear leaders in the SGML industry which, in 1993, was estimated
to be worth US $520 million and is projected to grow to over US $1.46 billion by
1998.
A wide variety tools can be used to create SGML systems. The SGML industry can
be separated into the following categories:
Mainstream Authoring consists of the key word processing vendors like Lotus,
WordPerfect and Microsoft.
SGML Editing and Publishing includes traditional SGML authoring tools like
ArborText, Interleaf, FrameBuilder and SoftQuad Author/Editor.
SGML Conversions is one of the largest sectors in the market today because many
companies are converting legacy data from mainframes, or documents created with
mainstream word processors, into SGML.
Electronic Delivery is widely regarded as the most compelling reason companies
are moving to SGML. Electronic delivery enables users to retrieve information
on-line using an intelligent document viewer.
Document Management may one day drive a major part of the overall SGML industry.
SGML Document Repositories is one of the cornerstone technologies that will
affect the progress of SGML as a data standard.
Since 1998, almost all development in SGML has been focussed on XML - a simple
(and therefore easier to understand and implement) subset of SGML.
"ISO 8879:1986//ENTITIES Added Latin 1//EN" defines some characters.
[How are these related to ISO 8859-1?].
ISO catalogue entry.
SGML parsers are available from
VU, NL,
FSU,
UIO, Norway.
See also sgmls.
Usenet newsgroup: comp.text.sgml.
["The SGML Handbook", Charles F. Goldfarb, Clarendon Press, 1991, ISBN
0198537379. (Full text of the ISO standard plus extensive commentary and
cross-referencing. Somewhat cheaper than the ISO document)].
["SGML - The User's Guide to ISO 8879", J.M. Smith et al, Ellis Harwood, 1988].
[Example of some SGML?]
(2000-05-31)
Nearby terms:
standard for robot exclusion « Standard for the
exchange of product model data « Standard
Generalised Markup Language «
Standard Generalized Markup Language » standard
input/output » Standard Instrument Control Library »
standard interpretation
|