FrameMaker+SGML (or Structured FM7) EDD and R/W rules Management

[eric.dunn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

If you work with structured files and maintain EDDs, DTDs, and R/W Rules Lynne
Price's resources are invaluable. Look for them at Text Structure Consulting,
Inc http://www.txstruct.com/.

The tools Lynne provides have had me wondering.

One of the problems in developing an SGML application (or XML if we'd rather use
current buzzwords) is the requirement to maintain an EDD, DTD, and R/W rules
file separately. Well, not exactly true as the DTD can be exported from the EDD
so only the EDD needs to be maintained and the DTD can just be exported each
time there's a change in structure. What I was wondering, was has anybody
thought of incorporating the R/W rules in the EDD so that only one file need be
maintained for the three required components (Lynne?).

Could the structured R/W rules be incorporated into the MetaEDD to have the R/W
rules located immediately following the General Rule for each element. R/W Rules
and an application could then be developed so that an all inclusive EDD can be
saved to SGML for version control, create a valid FM standard EDD, a DTD, and
R/W rules files. In my mind this would eliminate the searching of rules and
elements in both EDD and R/W rules files. The information required would be
located in one place. Without saving the all inclusive EDD to SGML, FrameScript
could be used to manipulate the file and save as EDD, DTD, and R/W rules.

Personally, I'd add a template declaration to the all inclusive EDD as well. The
script/plug-in could then ensure that the EDD is imported into the template file
correctly at the same time as the EDD, DTD, and R/W rules are updated.

Good Idea or Bad?

Eric L. Dunn

PS: If someone else develops something from this idea, I would like recognition.
;-)



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