NAME¶
docidx_intro - docidx introduction
DESCRIPTION¶
docidx (short for
documentation tables of contents) stands for a
set of related, yet different, entities which are working together for the
easy creation and transformation of keyword-based indices for documentation.
These are
- [1]
- A tcl based language for the semantic markup of a keyword index. Markup is
represented by Tcl commands.
- [2]
- A package providing the ability to read and transform texts written in
that markup language. It is important to note that the actual
transformation of the input text is delegated to plugins.
- [3]
- An API describing the interface between the package above and a
plugin.
Which of the more detailed documents are relevant to the reader of this
introduction depends on their role in the documentation process.
- [1]
- A writer of documentation has to understand the markup language
itself. A beginner to docidx should read the more informally written
docidx language introduction first. Having digested this the formal
docidx language syntax specification should become understandable.
A writer experienced with docidx may only need the docidx language
command reference from time to time to refresh her memory.
While a document is written the dtp application can be used to
validate it, and after completion it also performs the conversion into the
chosen system of visual markup, be it *roff, HTML, plain text, wiki, etc.
The simpler dtplite application makes internal use of docidx when
handling directories of documentation, automatically generating a proper
keyword index for them.
- [2]
- A processor of documentation written in the docidx markup
language has to know which tools are available for use.
The main tool is the aforementioned dtp application provided by
Tcllib. The simpler dtplite does not expose docidx to the user. At
the bottom level, common to both applications, however sits the package
doctoools::idx, providing the basic facilities to read and process
files containing text in the docidx format.
- [3]
- At last, but not least, plugin writers have to understand the
interaction between the doctools::idx package and its plugins, as
described in the docidx plugin API reference.
docidx does not stand alone, it has two companion formats. These are called
doctoc and
doctools, and they are for the markup of
tables of
contents, and general documentation, respectively. They are described in
their own sets of documents, starting at the
doctoc introduction and
the
doctools introduction, respectively.
BUGS, IDEAS, FEEDBACK¶
This document, and the package it describes, will undoubtedly contain bugs and
other problems. Please report such in the category
doctools of the
Tcllib Trackers [
http://core.tcl.tk/tcllib/reportlist]. Please also
report any ideas for enhancements you may have for either package and/or
documentation.
SEE ALSO¶
docidx_lang_cmdref, docidx_lang_faq, docidx_lang_intro, docidx_lang_syntax,
docidx_plugin_apiref, doctoc_intro, doctools::idx, doctools_intro
KEYWORDS¶
index, keyword index, markup, semantic markup
CATEGORY¶
Documentation tools
COPYRIGHT¶
Copyright (c) 2007 Andreas Kupries <andreas_kupries@users.sourceforge.net>