A markup language standard that defines the structure and attributes of documents, SGML provides a framework for creating customized markup languages. It emphasizes declarative and rigorous markup to ensure compatibility with various processing systems. The standard enables the creation of domain-specific markup languages, such as DocBook SGML and LinuxDoc, that leverage SGML tools for document processing and management.
History and Development
SGML was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and published as ISO 8879:1986. It was created to provide a standardized way to define markup languages, enabling consistent document structuring and processing across different systems.
Key Principles
- Declarative Markup: SGML markup describes the structure and attributes of a document rather than specifying processing instructions. This approach minimizes conflicts with future developments.
- Rigorous Definition: SGML rigorously defines objects like programs and databases to ensure compatibility with processing techniques.
Applications
SGML is used to create customized markup languages for specific domains. Examples include DocBook SGML, which is used for authoring and publishing documentation, and LinuxDoc, a markup language for creating Linux documentation. These applications leverage SGML tools to manage and process documents effectively.