Rita+ : an SGML based document processing system

Abstract

Rita+ is a structured syntax directed document processing system, which allows users to edit documents interactively, and display these documents in a manner determined by the user. The system is SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) based in that it reads and saves files as SGML marked up documents, and uses SGML document type definitions as templates for document creation. The display or layout of the document is determined by the Rita Semantic Definition Language (RSDL). With RSDL it is possible to assign semantic actions quickly to an SGML file. Semantic definitions also allows users to export documents to serve as input for powerful batch formatters. Each semantic definition file is associated with a specific document type definition. The Rita+ Editor uses the SGML document type definition to allow the user to create structurally correct documents, and allows the user to create these in an almost arbitrary manner. The Editor displays the user document together with the associated document structure in a different window. Documents are created by selecting document elements displayed in a dynamic menu. This menu changes according to the current position in the document structure. As it is possible to have documents which are incomplete in the sense that required document elements are missing, Rita+ will indicate which document elements are required to complete the document with a minimum number of insertions, by highlighting the required elements in the dynamic menu. The Rita+ system is build on top of an existing system, to which SGML and RSDL support, as well as incomplete document support and menu marking, has been added.